Archive of Our Own

It was a commonly known phenomena that one did not tend to miss readily available things until one became deprived of said thing for an extended period of time. It was easy to take what was a standard experience for oneself for granted after all, and such was Sage Oford Truely’s relationship with solid ground.

Blessed solid ground, that did not rock or sway beneath one's feet, that remained exactly as level as the forces of the world shaped it to be. That would not suddenly be found to be at an angle, ready to trip an unsuspecting walker.

Now, perhaps Sage was being just slightly dramatic, but he thinks it’s what he is owed, after all life has insisted upon throwing at him. 

Especially considering the fact that it couldn’t give him the dignity of enjoying his time on land in peace, no, because it is nearly as cruel a taskmaster as Miaoli he finds himself here, wandering through a… rather foggy mangrove, with Herod and… what was their name again? Ah. It doesn’t matter.

The point was, Sage was stuck walking on not so dry land, and in rather suboptimal conditions.

It has not avoided his notice that this whole situation is likely a setup, and considering the fact that the only common factor between the three of them is that they all joined the crew relatively recently, or perhaps more specifically in Herod’s case- haven’t yet visited this particular port- it is not unlikely it is some sort of hazing ritual.

Make the newbies stumble through a smelly, wet, muddy, mangrove forest for a few hours and laugh at them when they came back. You know, the usual things ruffians did for fun.

Unfortunately the others would not listen to him about this, and so on they trudged, to some sort of make believe goal only Herod and the nameless crew member were aware of.

The fact that they refused to tell him was only a point against the legitimacy of the whole situation, it was entirely possible that their whole task was to trick Sage himself, he hoped they got nothing out of it. He liked Herod, even if he was a bit of a brute and a horrible snorer, but this- this was simply unforgivable.

Not that the mangrove was particularly creepy in Sage’s opinion, a terrible place to have a casual stroll, but not particularly eerie. The others certainly seemed to think so, with how they were constantly watching the treeline, but its menacing appearance felt to Sage to be just that, an appearance. 

Maybe it was the absence of any level of superstition on his part, but this place mostly seemed like it would be rather… soothing. He wasn’t sure why exactly, but if it weren’t for the situation in which he found himself there he might nearly enjoy himself.

He sighed, taking a slow steps around Herod’s massive bootprints, and grimacing as he had to grab a rather slimy root to avoid slipping. Blech. Since being thrown out of the family home his tolerance for filth and rather sub-optimal personal hygiene had certainly grown, but not enough for this particular situation.

Sage huffed, not bothering to rush to catch up to the others who were slowly and steadily beginning to pull ahead. Long legged freaks. 

It wasn’t as if they knew where they were going anyway…

In fact, if Sage cared less, he might leave them both entirely, earlier he didn’t have much of a choice, but now it wasn’t outside of possibility. But no, he clearly cares far too much, because he can’t let the two morons bumble around on their own.

Particularly since of the three of them he is the only one who has even the slightest proper understanding of medicine, or, if he entertained more extreme possibilities, the mystical. 

This place certainly is wild enough for that.

But despite previous, life destroying accusations, Sage is not actually a witch, so realistically his ability to do anything about the latter would be… was that singing?

He paused half way through wiping filth on his pants, blinking at nothing in particular. It certainly sounded like singing, Sage couldn’t really tell if it would be a woman or a man, and the tune was utterly wordless, but… oh it was beautiful. Captivating, Sage stood there simply listening, thoughts slowly going silent, mind emptying of everything except for the slow rise and fall of that voice.

It filled him with warmth, like the sun shining on a spring morning, and in those spaces it emptied in his mind, it filled with a fuzzy sort of contentment. There was a sweet taste on his tongue and Sage could almost imagine himself back home, giggling alongside his twin as they ate bites of teacakes, listening to the fountains and watching the birds flit between the branches of the trees.

“Hmm, I’ve never seen one like that before.”

Sage hummed, “Lanius collurio, Red-Backed Shrike, only seen here in the summer, and usually not this far north.”

Ethylene huffed, smiling, “Know it all.”

Sage giggled, “Well, I did brush up a little before we came out here…”

Perhaps if there wasn’t a sense deep in his bones that he should not move an inch, he would have tried to walk to the source, but as it was he stayed there, as if in a trance, feeling nothing that was happening around him.

Eventually, the singing stopped, and Sage swayed slightly as he blinked the mangrove back into focus.

Frankly, he doesn’t think he’s ever been so confused in his life.

It was almost nauseating, and it took several deep breaths for Sage’s thoughts to clear enough for him to make sense of reality. Current reality. He didn’t bother trying to make much sense of whatever had just transpired, mostly because he could already tell there were more important things to worry about right now.

Sage stumbled along the trail of footsteps left by his companions, feeling a pit of dread making itself known in his chest. Herod’s lantern light was gone, and their voices were silent.

And to make things worse, a few minutes of trudging through the mud, and the relatively straight trail took a hard right, like both of them had decided without warning to completely change directions. His boot nudged something, and Sage flinched stepping back, only to grimace when he recognised the slight of Herod’s- now extinguished- lantern.

He picked it out of the mud, watching oil dribble down the side of the glass.

So, general analysis, the mangrove did have magical inhabitants, one with powers Sage had no knowledge of, that may or may not be malicious, and may or may not have gotten ahold of both of Sage’s companions.

Logically, Sage knew that his first objective now, was to get out and get help, he assumes that Miaoli’s brother doesn’t captain a crew who would try to get new members killed, so the hazing has probably gone horribly wrong. Well- assuming that this is some sort of hazing and that Herod isn’t just being exceedingly idiodic. 

Deep breath, in and out, alright. This is simple, retrace the trail they made coming in here, get back to the ship, and make a lot of noise until they can put together a search party.

Easy. Sage has always been loud when he wishes to be.

⩹◇ ⪦○⪧ ◇⩺

Sage reflected that he was foolish to ever expect anything to be ‘easy’ for him.

First, things had gotten… dark. They had been fairly dim in the first place, what with a dense canopy and the fog, but all of a sudden it was as if there was no daylight at all. If Sage had less sense he might think that the sun had set in an instant.

Then, it had started raining.

Now, ordinarily Sage would not have minded this too much, after all, what harm could a little rain do?

But Sage was not in an ordinary situation, already he was trying not to slip on mud and uneven ground. Now he was soaked and the water was pooling in puddles which were rising steadily- although considering everything that may in fact just be the return of the tide.

He lost the trail sometime after it first got dark, and now he was left stumbling looking for high ground, he didn’t need to have worked on a ship to know the situation he was in was very dangerous.

Sage had read the books, and he would very much prefer that he did not die by drowning in a mangrove forest all alone.

Which he supposed made it very lucky that he saw the light when he did, bobbing like a will’o’whisp in between the trees. Now, because Sage couldn’t verify that those particular tales were, in fact, false, he did not chase blindly after it, but instead… “Hello? Is someone there?”

The light paused. Hope fluttered in Sage’s chest.

“I am very lost, you- you don’t happen to know the way out do you?”

It was difficult to tell over the patter of rain and the sounds of the mangrove’s much more suited inhabitants, but Sage almost thought he heard a sigh. But that was soon forgotten in the face of the fact that the light started moving again- toward Sage.

As it got closer, it was accompanied by the sound of footsteps, and then the outline of a figure, which resolved itself into the form of a man, wearing long black robes splattered with mud around the hem, and with blond hair that, aside from being soaking wet, looked to have bits of weed and leaf suck to it.

The light was actually a lantern hug on a staff, one that revealed a rather nasty glare being sent Sage’s way. He smiled all the same, because really, he thinks his saviour could have fresh blood splattered over their cheek and Sage would still be glad to see them.

“What are you doing here?” 

Sage smile turned a bit sheepish at that, “Well, I came here with some friends, and… we got separated and… well now I am lost.”

Not technically a lie, but seeing as he doesn’t actually know much about this stranger, it probably wouldn’t be a good idea to tell him everything.

“Lost and almost drowned,” The man rolled his eyes, “Fine, follow me.”

“Do you know the way out?” Sage splashed his way through the dip separating them.

The man watched him come, only beginning to walk away again when Sage had made it to… mostly solid ground. “Yes, that is not where we are going.”

Sage blinked at the man, “Whyever not?”

“Because I don’t make a habit of leading fools to their death.”

Sage frowned, rude, also, “I am afraid that is not a particularly illustrative statement.”

The man sighed, “It is too far, the tide would rise before we made it out.”

“Ah.” Sage grabbed a root to prevent himself slipping, “So where is it that we are going then?”

“The home of a friend of mine.” The man used his staff to pull himself up a ridge, Sage noticed he wasn’t wearing any shoes, how odd. 

“You have a friend who lives out here?” Where would they build their house? Moreover, why would they choose to build it in such a dangerous place? Was that not impractical?

“Yes.” The man huffed, “I am surprised you can’t tell witch.”

Sage almost tripped over his own feet, “I don’t know what gave you that impression friend, but I am not a witch.”

The man paused his his steps, “Do not lie.”

Something in that voice made Sage’s insides feel a little like they were being rearranged, but he scowled, “I am not lying! I am not a witch!”

And he was frankly, sick of people accusing him of such! Although, to be technical, it had only happened perhaps in three different instances- but! The first two had utterly upturned his life, and moreover, nearly got him hanged! So he felt he was justified in being a little touchy about the subject.

He huffed, “Yes, my hair is blue! But that does not make me a witch, so please could you not accuse me of…” Sage trailed off at the look the man was giving him. 

Not because the look was so hostile it rendered him speechless, far from it, his companion had not given him anything except scowls before, and so now the neutral, considering look, was quite disarming by contrast.

The man raised one eyebrow, “Your hair has nothing to do with my assumption.” The man stared at him for a long moment, before he turned away again, “Hurry up, the water is rising.”

Sage gave an indigent squawk, as if our stop was by my design!

Fortunately, a few minutes of walking more, and the lantern light was joined by another set of lights, a set of lights that eventually resolved themselves to be windows, windows on a house- a tree house? In spite of how ridiculous a concept that was, it seemed to be the best way Sage had to describe the structure in front of him.

Sage followed the man in wading across the still-rising waters around it to a sort of spiraling staircase come boardwalk, which they ascended up a truly giant mangrove tree.

Really, it made the ancient oaks that Sage was familiar with from gardens at home seem of normal scale, which… well. This whole day was starting to feel like a fever dream, except far too real, and inescapably so.

“My name is Sage,” he glanced away from the rising waters, to look at the man again, “Sage Oford Truely, I should have done introductions earlier, I apologise.”

The man huffed, not turning round to look at him. “I am not telling you my name.”

Sage sighed. Really. You would think he had done some personal misdeed against this man. “May inquire as to why?”

“Witches can use names in curses.” 

Sage groaned, going to rub his eyes with his sleeve, and grimacing when all he achieved was smearing goop all over his face. “We have already established that I am not a witch!”

The man huffed, “You are not a witch yet.”

Sage opened his mouth to answer with something probably along the lines of, what is that supposed to mean? Possibly with a side of, what could I have possibly done to offend you? But was interrupted by…

“Who isn’t a witch yet?”

Sage glanced up, and blinked, there was a woman standing on a landing some steps above, illuminated by light shining out from what must be a doorway. In her appearance she reminded Sage of Miaoli, in the way her hair was pure white, yet few of the signs of aging seemed to touch her face- although the features of it were much more familiar. Not speaking of heritage in such distant places.

However perhaps what was most striking about her was the black tattoos that ran all along one side of her features, coiling up from her neck, over her cheek, and into her hairline. Sage had never seen anything of the like before, although he supposed there was much he hadn’t seen.

Her eyes shifted from the man to Sage, and she raised an eyebrow, “I thought you already chased off all the ‘trespassers’?”

The man sighed, “It did not work on this one.”

Sage frowned, what work?

The woman was quiet for a moment, staring Sage down, which filled Sage with the odd sense of being pinned like an unfortunate butterfly while a curious biologist poked and prodded his insides.

She hummed, tilting her head. “I can see why… well, come inside.”

Sage couldn’t help but hover behind the man slightly, while the woman had done nothing outwardly malefic, Sage suddenly felt a lot more at ease around his- admittedly very rude guide. 

⩹◇ ⪦○⪧ ◇⩺

A wash with warm water, a change of clothes, a bowl of warm stew, a cup of herbal tea later, and Sage was starting to consider that perhaps his first impression was a bit harsh. Whyn, as the white haired woman introduced herself as, certainly possessed quite a disturbing stare, but she was hardly defined by that feature.

Well. Mostly. Her curiosity was certainly a bit intense, but Sage has heard the same pertaining to himself so he is in no position to judge.

He played with the edge of the sleeve of his borrowed robe, it was much the same as the one ‘Recluse’ (who still refused to give his actual name) had been wearing when he found Sage wandering the mangrove, minus the mud and detritus. It was, frankly, almost identical to the one Recluse himself was now wearing.

That man clearly did not have a great variety of clothes.

“Why ‘Recluse’?” Sage shut one eye to examine the nicknacks sitting on the shelf behind him, ah how he wished he had his glasses, it was probably for the best he did not bring them however, considering how this trip went.

Whyn snorted, “The locals all call him the ‘Recluse of the Swamp’, a fairly accurate description of how he acts.”

Recluse shot her a glare, “That is rich, coming from you.”

Whyn raised an eyebrow at him, “Unlike you, I have actual reasons I cannot let myself be seen.”

Recluse crossed his arms over his chest, “I have reasons.”

“What? That you are a terrible old grouch?” Whyn huffed, glancing toward Sage, “The local children like to make a game of running into the mangroves and back out before he catches them. He’s made himself out to be some sort of fairytale monster.”

Sage hummed, tilting his head to peer at a… jar of seashells? “Sounds like a risky game for children to be playing.”

Recluse scoffed, slouching in his chair. “Says the man who I found stumbling around here alone.”

Sage pouted, turning away from his investigation, “I will have you know that I did not wish to be in here, others insisted I come along, and would not listen to me when I told them they were being foolish.”

“Those friends you mentioned.” Whyn’s focus was on him again, mentioned? Did he mention them? To Recluse perhaps… “How did you get split from them?”

Sage paused, suddenly feeling very much in the spotlight, “I…” what could he say? “I was lagging behind a bit and…” and what? How does he explain that? He doesn’t know what happened! He swallowed.

Recluse raised an eyebrow, “And…?”

“I… I heard singing. And… I am not certain what happened, it felt a like I was… elsewhere and then I was back, and the singing had stopped-” He paused, biting his lip, “And my friends had vanished.” 

Reclused hummed, and Sage blinked, ah, why did I tell them all of that? Now I am going to sound entirely insane.

Whyn pushed another cup of tea across the table, and Sage smiled as he accepted it. “It is like I said.”

Recluse huffed, “Is it?”

Whyn picked a biscuit off of the tray in the middle of the table, “Explain to me how it isn’t.”

Sage frowned, taking a sip of tea, ah, chamomile, practically drenched in milk and honey, how delightfully nostalgic. Comforting, he could practically hear his sister’s voice as she helped him sneak books to read by candlelight.

Recluse sighed, “I lack the expertise to win the argument.”

“And so I don’t know why you are doubting my word.” Whyn broke the biscuit in two, taking a bite out of one half, slowly chewing on it. She swallowed, “Stop being so unreasonably sceptical, he’s untrained.”

Sage blinked slowly, untrained? “Mm?” 

“Well, not very trained.” Whyn shrugged, “Do you have an apprenticeship to anyone, Sage?”

Sage nodded, taking another sip of his tea.

Recluse raised an eyebrow, “What in?”

Sage glanced at him, feeling oddly tired, “...medicine.” he hummed, "Herbalism, sometimes other things, Miaoli teaches me whatever I am willing to know… which is anything.”

“Herbalisum…” Recluse snorted, turning to Whyn, “You win.”

Whyn huffed, taking another bite of biscuit.

Sage felt like there was a lot of this conversation that he was missing. But weirdly he didn’t mind all that much, he drained the last of his tea, placing the mug on the table and curling up further in his chair.

The rain had not stopped, and it made a gentle pitter-patter against the leaves of the tree around them, a pitter-patter that was complemented by the soft crackle of fire in the hearth. Was it safe to have a fireplace in a treehouse?

Ah, who knew. The warmth was nice, so Sage could hardly complain. 

“...did you drug him?”

“Not unless chamomile tea with milk and honey qualifies as a drug.”

Someone shook his shoulder, Sage blinked open his eyes blearily (when had he shut them?), “Up you fool, do you want to wake up with back pain?”

“Nnng?” Sage felt someone grab his arms and hoist him upright, Recluse’s blurry visage came into vague not-focus in front of him. “Why’re you so r’de?”

“Because I am surrounded by fools who are not worth the effort of being polite to.” There was a loud fit of laughter in the background, “Now move. There is a room waiting for you.”

“‘M kay.” Sage allowed himself to be dragged, mostly tuning out whatever was grumbled in his direction, perhaps that was in a sense a sign of rudeness from his end, but it just felt terribly difficult to muster the energy. Mayhaps he would simply have to make his apologies later.

Eventually he was pushed down on what seemed to be a rough-hewn cot, the blankets and sheets of which were probably rather rustic. But to Sage of this moment they may as well have been the finest silk, with a pillow stuffed with soft goose down. 

He snuggled into it contentedly, and was dead to the world not too long after.

Or at least Sage assumes, he did not much notice the transition himself.

⩹◇ ⪦○⪧ ◇⩺

Waking up was a much more obvious affair, in that Recluse shook his shoulder, and Sage bolted upright like he had screamed in his ear. An ingrained anxiety he’s afraid, with having the unfortunate trait of sleeping very heavily, he has missed quite a few calls to wake up and been ‘punished’ (pranked) accordingly.

Ah, what barbarians he calls companions these days. But no matter, his life could have gone far worse.

Being hanged sounded like an altogether unpleasant experience.

Turns out, however, despite his rather gruff behavior Recluse was no such barbarian, and he was nowhere near the ship or its inhabitants. 

To be honest Sage had been rather willing to put aside the day before as some sort of strange dream, but clearly, seeing as he was still within it, it was no such thing. Worry was starting to creep up on him again, what became of his original companions? It would be ridiculous if they had been eaten by some swamp monster, but…

“Is… is there anything large and carnivorous living in this area?” Sage stirred his porridge with his spoon, it tasted a little odd, things had been clearly added to it, but not in a bad sense per-say.

Recluse paused, mayhaps Sage could even say stiffened. Whyn looked up at him with a flicker of a smirk on her face, “Hm, I’m not sure, is there Recluse?”

Recluse scowled at her, “There is not anything that would attempt to eat your friends.”

Sage’s brows furrowed, he glanced between the two of them, it seemed like there were a lot of secrets being tossed around that he knew nothing of, which was mildly suspicious and very intriguing, but he wasn’t entirely certain how an onslaught of curiosity would fare.

“Not even if they were really annoying?” Whyn brought a teapot and a trio of cups to the table, Sage perked up as she poured some out, fragrant steam wafting out into the room. 

Ah, how he missed tea, onboard ship he and Miaoli were forced to ration their supplies, and most of the crew thought drinking ‘hot leaf water’ was some oddity, posh or foreign depending on the day. Ridiculous, but there was only so much Sage could do for those who did not wish to be educated.

Recluse huffed, rolling his eyes, and turning back to Sage. “We are leaving soon, you are changing back into your original clothes.”

“...leaving? The water is still high is it not?” Well, high once more at least, Sage is not certain how exactly the tides around here function.

Recluse hummed, accepting the cup of tea that Whyn pushed in his direction. “We are not walking.”

Sage frowned, what does that mean? “Are we going by boat?”

Recluse sipped his tea, “No.”

Sage opened his mouth to follow up with a more direct query, since apparently to get an answer here he had to swing his words around with utter brute force, but was distracted by the cup of tea passed his way. “Ah, thank you.”

“So you aren’t a local to this area, you didn’t happen to sail here under Captain Saimo did you?” Whyn sat down, holding her own cup of tea.

Sage paused, he did, of course do exactly that, but he’s not entirely certain… ah but his silence is telling isn’t it? Best to be honest. “I did, do you… know him?”

Whyn hummed, sipping her tea. “Well, he once tried to separate my head from my body.”

Sage choked, what?

“But he learned his lesson, and he brings me rare spices once a year in compensation, so I suppose I can call it even.” Whyn rolled her eyes, “Utterly pathetic man, his ability to lead a crew astonishes me.”

⩹◇ ⪦○⪧ ◇⩺

After that… enlightening, discussion. Sage traded his very nice, dry, borrowed robes, for his damp, dirty and resultantly itchy original clothes. Truly unpleasant, but far worse when he was standing outside in the chill breeze alongside Recluse, waiting for Whyn to prepare… something that had not been explained to Sage.

The tide was high enough that several of the flights of stairs leading up to where they were had been swallowed by murky water, and Sage really did not know how exactly they could be intending to get him anywhere.

There was a boat, suspended on some beams, but it had already been specified to him that that was not their method of travel for the day. He dearly hoped they were not swimming, Sage had never been particularly physically fit, although that certainly increased as of late, he doubted he would make it very far.

The door opened, and Sage glanced back to see Whyn exit holding a… fine tipped paintbrush and a small jar?

Sage blinked. What possible function could that serve? 

Whyn huffed, “Well, I have my supplies, your turn.”

Recluse sighed, but started… humming? Truly, the three of them stood there, at the top of the strange stairs, while Recluse simply hummed. It was a nice tune, admittedly, familiar to Sage in a way that he couldn’t quite place. But perhaps he needed to consider that this pair might in fact be quite barmy.

They did not seem without reason, but their reason might include false factors. Lies falsely construed as Truth, not an impossible phenomena, surely?

Sage swayed slightly, hardly registering as someone laid a steadying hand on his arm. He shivered, suddenly feeling much warmer. 

“Sage?” Ethylene frowned down at him.

He grinned wiping some of the dust from his face, “Hello sister! Look! I think I found a mouse hole!” 

Ethylene made a face, “Mouse hole? Ew, Sage you are going to get sick.”

Sage blinked sluggishly, feeling something cold and wet being dabbed against his throat, hearing a loud splash behind him- for the briefest instance the singing became muffled, but it did not stop.

Singing? Wait-

“Did you see that lady in the red dress?” Ethylene’s eyes were so bright they practically glittered, Sage could see her blush under layers of makeup.

“Hmm, I did, assuming you mean the dress that had to be at least two decades out of fashion.” Sage huffed, idly swirling champagne in his glass.

“Sage!” Ethylene glared, “That isn’t important right now!”

“Fashion is always-”

Sage gasped as he felt himself hit the water, his head felt scrambled, a strangely cloying relaxation mixing with instinctive animal panic, neither managing to win out as he sank. He flailed and tried to swim for the surface anyway, only to have arms restrain him, holding him still even as he struggled.

“Breathe.”

He inhaled, feeling water fill his mouth- only to have air settle in his lungs.

Sage stilled, his increasingly hazy mind stalling over the logical error. The singing picked up again, and his head lolled to the side, he was-

“Sage! No- go away!”

Sage cackled, holding out the- admittedly rather slimy eel- in front of him, “But look! Isn’t it so cute!”

“No! Get it away from me!” Ethylene squealed as he took a step forward.

Sage giggled, slowly creeping closer to her, “But look at its little fins! Eels have the most fascinating life cycle don’t you know-”

“I don’t care! Put it back!”

Sage hummed, he could feel water rushing past him, taste sea salt on his tongue, he felt strangely content, warm even with the freezing temperature of the liquid around. His cheek was pressed against someone’s shoulder, and if he peered open his eyes, he could see a blur of tan and gold, framed on a backdrop of blue.

So tired…

“I’ll be lonely without you.”

Sage huffed, “Nonsense!” he rested one hand against the balcony railing, “I’m sure wherever you go after you marry, you will make plenty of friends, and besides, it’s not as if I will be gone for good.”

Ethylene frowned, “You better write.”

“Of course! Why I am sure you will be wishing I would write less!” Sage smiled, “I’ll be fine sister, don’t you worry.”

Ethylene didn’t look particularly convinced, “What if you aren’t?” 

“Why wouldn’t I be?”

⩹◇ ⪦○⪧ ◇⩺

Sage could hear voices.

He blinked his eyes open, only to wince at the double sting of salt, and bright sunlight, jamming them shut again. He groaned, suddenly aware of how uncomfortable the rest of him felt, footsteps thumped closer, and Sage grimaced at the feel of rough wooden boards against his back.

He felt distinctly like he had had one too many drinks the night before, except, he didn’t remember having any drinks the night before. Agh. Maybe he had several too many drinks the night before.

A shadow cast over his eyes, and Sage tentatively peaked them open once more.

“Sage?” 

“Herod?” Blech. Well, add his throat to the things that felt terrible. The blur that was (probably) Herod’s face became framed by several other blurs. He groaned again, great, well now they had a proper audience. 

Agh. Why did his mouth taste so salty? 

“What is happening here?” Sage froze, was that…?

“We found Sage sir.” 

Oh it definitely was, just brilliant- wait, they were looking for him?

“Ah, good work, return to your posts, I will handle this from here.”

The shade left, and Sage squeezed his eyes shut, he was probably about to get chewed out. What did he do? Well, last he checked he wasn’t a particularly active drunk, but first time for everything? He stiffened as he felt a gloved hand touch his chin, tilting his head back- wait am I-

A new set of footsteps, “Saiyin?”

The hand released his chin, “Sister.”

“What has happened to my apprentice?” Miaoli? Sage squinted open his eyes again, cursing out the sun as it shone into his eyes. 

“I am not sure. There are traces of witch magic on him.” 

Magic?

Miaoli hummed, and blessed shade was cast over Sage’s eyes once more. “I see, help me carry him back to the ship.”

Sage made a small noise of protest as he was (rather unceremoniously) hoisted up into a bridal carry. “...nng.”

“Save your breath apprentice, unless you have something truly critical to impart, this conversation can wait.”

Sage grumbled, why was he being carried? The way they were acting you would think he had been missing for a whole day.

Wait…

⩹◇ ⪦○⪧ ◇⩺

“So, I am… a witch?”

Miaoli hummed, pouring herself a cup of tea. “You could be, if you wished.”

Sage frowned, looking down at the scattered tea leaves at the bottom of his cup. “Are… you a witch?”

“I practice magical arts, but the tradition passed down from my mother is different from what is typically described as witchcraft here.” Miaoli blew slightly on her tea, taking a small sip.

She was explaining this much the same as she explained everything else, as if, somehow, this thing so far out of Sage’s normal reality was somehow just another piece of the puzzle she could see the big picture on. Perhaps she could, and mayhaps Sage was blinded by his own ingrained beliefs.

“You took me on as an apprentice because I have…” Sage trailed off, somehow saying magic felt too surreal.

“Yes,” Miaoli closed her eyes, swirling her tea around, “If you had not had it I would have still given you my aid, but I have offered you a place at my side because of it.” She hummed again, “Perhaps I could excuse it as simply the fact that if I had sent you away, you might have found yourself in more trouble.”

“But, I cannot say that taking on an apprentice unable to learn all I could teach, would have been an appealing prospect.”

Sage nodded, “I…” he paused, “I think I do want to. Learn that is-” in fact that might be an understatement, while much of Sage’s consciousness was in a state of shock, the rest was already bubbling with questions.

Miaoli opened her eyes again, “It is not easy.”

“I imagine not.” If it were, Sage likely would have done something spontaneously by now. “But most things you teach me are not easy.”

Miaoli hummed once more.

Sage reached over to pour himself another cup of tea, considering, “I do have one query.”

Miaoli tilted her head, “Yes?”

Sage smiled cheerfully, “Do you happen to have any techniques which could help me find a dear friend of mine? I expect he may be hiding from me.”

A flicker of a smile passed over Miaoli’s face, “I can demonstrate some divination, if that would interest you?”

“Yes, that would be perfect.”

⩹◇ ⪦○⪧ ◇⩺

The saying went that revenge was a dish best served cold, in Sage’s opinion, it was a dish best served any time and at any temperature. Truly versatile, fitting, since it came in many forms.

Sage’s own preference was mental torment, he lacked brute strength, and personally he thinks that it lent unsatisfying results, physical wounds would heal, but scars of the mind were a much more present reminder of the mistake made. Besides, why be outwardly cruel, when kindness was so much worse?

Letting the guilt build and build, until the victim was practically groveling at one's feet…

Much more satisfying.

Sage smiled to himself, yes there would be no more unplanned hikes in a mangrove forest anytime soon.