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It had been late fall when Pure Vanilla arrived at the Spire, it no longer seemed to be fall. Out the window, white powder fell onto the nearly dead grass. What was once a view to a beautiful garden, was now a view to a sea of white, depleted of color. He shifted in the barstool, resting his head in his hands. He could spend all day looking at this view. Somehow the emptiness brought serenity rather than fear.
He decided a tea would be perfect for this morning. He got up and walked to the kitchen. He brought down the box he had seen Black Sapphire take tea from to prepare for Shadow Milk and took off the lid. Inside were countless types of tea, from across both Crispia and Beast Yeast. He decided a simple oolong tea should work. He took a bag of the leaves and took the tea kettle from a high shelf. (with the help of a chair to stand on.) He properly prepared the tea and brought it back to where he was sitting to steep.
***
He heard someone in the kitchen, “Enjoying your tea, hm?” He didn’t even try to turn around, knowing of who it was. “It is quite nice actually. I would love to know where you got the tea from.” He simply was indulging him in small talk. He heard Shadow Milk start preparing coffee, “Hm. Well. If you truly want to know!” He put down the items he was holding, “Some time ago, of course after escaping the tree, I managed to find myself in a port kingdom. Of course with the help of some time magic. The kingdom no longer exists. It was beautiful indeed. I, as you could expect, managed to climb the ranks of popularity and ended up working as an adviser to the prince. Either it was how well I did my job, or simply my irresistible charm, I was invited to a royal celebration. A party, with dancing, drinking, and political madness. Anyways, I made such an impression on the prince, I was later invited into his quarters-“ Truthless choked on his tea, “Please stop. I am not interested in this story.” The Beast went back to what he was doing with a snicker. “Today is Christmas. You will also be celebrating. I would like to see some ‘merry faces’ today!” The Recluse scoffed, “As if you could make me ‘merry’.” The Beast looked over to him, hand on hip, “Oh, honey, there’s plenty of things I can do to you that would make death something to smile about. Have you begun to underestimate me?” He gasped dramatically, “Oh~! I’m hurt, truly~!” Truthless went back to silently drinking his tea. ‘Nothing surprises me anymore, but the fact that the Beast of Deceit celebrates the birth of the Christian figure Jesus Christ, that’s… something.’ The Beast spoke up again, said as if hearing his thoughts,“I’m not religious or anything, just like the idea of “gifting” others. Like how you have to just accept the gift offered, because that’s the polite thing to do.”
‘What is he planning to do…?’
“Anyways. I got some stuff for you, and the kids. It’s going to be a long day! Good thing you got caffeine! To get into the holiday spirit, I got you a new outfit.”
Truthless was about to say something but Shadow Milk cut him off, “No. I will not be dressing you. This outfit may not be worn again.” His face darkened and he looked away.
‘Huh?’ “When did I suggest that que-”
“Anyways! The outfit is in your room waiting for you. When you’re done changing, if you could make the children breakfast.” He was going to add some snarky response, but the Beast left before he could do so.
After opening the door to his room, it looked like a star barfed in it. Gold glitter sparkled EVERYWHERE. ‘SERIOUSLY WHY IS GLITTER SO FUCKING MESSY??’ There was a small Christmas tree in one corner with presents he dared not open, and other various ornaments. Laying on his bed was a Christmas, red velvet white fur trimmed dress, with two skirt tiers that ended about to where his upper knee would be. On the floor under the end of the bed were red lace up marry jane’s. He’s worn his fair share of feminine clothes, but never to this extent.
“FUCK YOU.”
Yet, he knew he had no ounce of autonomy in this, so on the dress goes…
After changing he refused to look in a mirror. He would in fact not go outside today, at least until he’s forced to. Which soon came.
He heard a knock on his door, “SHADOW MILK I WILL KILL YOU-”
“Uh… no. It’s Black Saphire. Master said to wait to eat until you came out, typically I would make breakfast for Candy Apple and me but since-“ “YEAH-YEAH I’M COMING.”
***
He opened the door a crack after a bit to find the purple fairy leaning on a wall next to his door looking quite bored. He opened the door more about to step out, “W-woah… That’s… an outfit.” The Recluse stared him down. “I don’t want to talk about it.” Black Sapphire quickly nodded and faced away as if giving him privacy, “Just-uh-just follow me,” he stammered. He followed Black Sapphire to the kitchen again and saw Candy Apple sitting playing with a cup. She turned to stare at him, “Are you a girl now?” Black Sapphire stared at her, “Sis you can’t say that!” Truthless looked away, red.
‘I fucking hate you Shadow Milk.’
“If you are, can I do your hair? It’s really messy. But first can you make us breakfast? I’m soooooo hungryyyyy” Black Sapphire still stood glaring, but quickly turned to Truthless apologetically, “Please excuse my sister. You should be free to dress how you’d like.” Candy Apple squinted at her brother, “Oh! He’s dressed like the guys in those magazines you have in your room-” Black Sapphire rushed over to cover her mouth, red in the face. “Uh like I said before. If you could, please start breakfast.” He spoke pleadingly. ‘Tch.’ Truthless chuckled. Truthless put on an apron (that was somehow longer than the dress) and started cooking. He decided to make blueberry pancakes, because why not? (He only after realized who else also was blue and how this could be misinterpreted.)
“Well, the food is ready, I hope you all enjoy your meals!” He watched as the children scarfed down their food without sharing a word. ‘Thank the witches he’s not here to see the pancakes-‘ “Hey~ What’s for breakfast!”
‘Speak of the fucking devil-’
“Oh~! Blueberry pancakes? Hm… What could you be thinking of? Do you enjoy eating them?” He sighed, “Quit it. I simply thought it would be tasty-“ ‘Witches why did I say that.’ He beamed at him, “Hmm. Tasty.” He dragged his hand across his face and sat at the table next to Black Sapphire, “Just shut up. You don’t have to eat any.” Shadow Milk smirked, “Why but you made them! How rude would I be to not eat them?!” Shadow Milk walked to the kitchen and took some pancakes onto a plate. He sat down next to Truthless and started eating, “After this, we will do presents! Hope you got one for me~!” Truthless rolled his eyes.
***
“Gather round the tree! Bring your gifts!”
The children were the first to sit around with Candy Apple chatting with Black Sapphire about some comic book series she was reading and Black Sapphire listening politely. Truthless decided to wait until he was forced to sit. He saw the gifts placed, a big dark blue bag from Black Sapphire, a crudely taped box from Candy Apple, and a tiny box from which he assumed Shadow Milk. ‘Will I be getting a present? I couldn’t have been expected to bring anything? Right? Where would I have gotten something I’m quite literally a prisoner??’
Shadow Milk had left to take care of something with the Shadow Weavers for Christmas, perhaps giving them gifts as well. The Recluse decided to join the children.
He sat down with his back to a wall, holding the mug with tea in one hand. Candy Apple stared at the drink, “Is that coffee? Coffee is disgusting.” Truthless smiled, “No actually. It’s tea. I could never drink coffee. I agree honestly, it tastes really bad. Has the Beast-”
‘Well I assume I can’t refer to him as that to them... How insane would I have to be to refer to him as master as well?’ He snickered internally. “Has Shadow Milk let you try tea before?” Candy Apple shook her head, “He says it would be a bad idea to give me caffeine.” Truthless let out a gasp kind of laugh. “Would you like to try it?” Candy Apple’s face scrunched up in disgust, “Ew! You have cooties!” The Recluse let out another laugh, “Perhaps I do. But I would consider myself part of the family now, no?” Candy Apple raised an eyebrow, “So then what are you in the family?”
“…”
‘What am I to them? Is my relation to them one through Shadow Milk? At this point what is even my relationship with him considered? Am I a father?’
“Candy Apple, I don’t know. I think you should ask Shadow Milk.”
‘Ahahah shifting the question!’
Shadow Milk walked back just in time to respond, “Hmmm… Well, I guess he’s your dad too!” Candy Apple squinted her eyes, “Who made that choice?” The Beast grinned, “Me!” Candy Apple put a hand on her hip, “And when did you do that?” The Beast grinned more, “Why, today! Or maybe when he decided to show up to the Spire.”
Truthless dragged a hand through his hair, “What are you getting me into…” Shadow Milk beamed, “Well hopefully the Christmas spirit!”
“WELL SINCE THATS SETTLED, LET ME OPEN THE PRESENTS!!! Candy Apple shouted. “Fine, fine!”
“First! Candy Apple and Black Sapphire, exchange gifts!” Black Sapphire handed his sister a well-wrapped box, about the size of an A4 sized paper. “I’ve heard you rambling on enough about this that I decided to get you some stuff from it.” Candy Apple snatched the box and giggled while tearing through the wrapping like some sort of beast. ‘Tsch, guess she gets that from somewhere…’
She hugged the books that were inside, “Thank you, thank you, thank you!” And then she ran away to go read them. The older servant laughed. “Well at least she liked it.” Shadow Milk looked at him expectingly, “What?” … “Oh.” Black Sapphire reached for a smaller well-wrapped box and handed it to the Recluse. “Here,” he smiled warmly. ‘A gift?’
He opened the box carefully and saw a ceramic mug. “I made it. I do pottery sometimes and wanted to make you something useful. Oh also, it turns a different color if the liquid inside has been tampered with.” Truthless snorted, “And how the hell does it do that?” Black Sapphire responded completely seriously, “Why with deceit magic.” The Recluse chuckled, “Well, this certainly is very helpful! Thank you.”
“I’m very sorry, but I don’t have anything for you…” ‘you know, sorta being kept prisoner here…’
“It’s… it’s fine. I didn’t expect anything from you.” Shadow Milk walked over and stared at the fallen hero, “Well, have ya’ gotten anything for me!?” Truthless blinked. “Tch! How improper! And here I was, getting you a gift!” ‘Dear witches what is he going to do…’
The Beast grabbed his arm, “You get to spend the rest of the day with meeeeee!!” And promptly ran, not allowing him to escape. “Nooooooooooo-”