Chapter Text
The sun was falling below the horizon, the faint light falling through the windows tainting the room a slight orange. Fount leaned against his staff, barely keeping himself awake.
He’d been stuck answering pointless questions all day, providing knowledge that he knew would only hurt. Thank the witches he was finally done.
He began to head back to his quarters until he heard a shout.
“Fount of Knowledge?” A voice he’d grown familiar with since his Soul Jam had split echoed behind him.
Ugh. Seriously?!
He turned around. That…wasn’t the Light of Truth.
Whatever. It didn’t matter.
It was a blond cookie, with bandages wrapped around his eyes and a tattered cloak. Fount had seen him around the Spire before. Didn’t he have to help him find a book once? He’d seemed…kind enough.
…Fine. One last question. He’d just hope it wasn’t too complicated.
He forced a smile on his face, “Yes? What can I help you with?”
“My name is Healer Cookie. I was wondering—” Healer stepped forward, cupping his hands around one of Fount’s, “—If you would let me be your friend, Fount?”
What?
“…Friend?” Fount’s voice slipped out, confused. No one— no one had asked like that before. They weren’t supposed to. They were supposed to seek knowledge from him! Like— a mentor! Even just ask a silly question with a clear answer! Not— be his friend!
Healer pulled back at Fount’s silence, “I—I’m sorry. I just figured— I mean, with the nature of your role—”
“It’s alright,” Fount replied, “I— give me time to think about it. I’ll let you know when I decide. Okay?”
Healer relaxed, smiling, “Okay.”
Healer already began to leave before Fount interrupted, “Wait. Is your home far from here?”
“I…suppose. However, I can handle the journey.”
“…You could stay here. There’s a few spare rooms in the Spire!”
This was wrong. Weird. He shouldn’t be offering this to just— some cookie he’s slightly familiar with.
What if he was planning something? What if he got close, and then Fount decided he didn’t like him? What if—
Healer chuckled, covering his mouth slightly, “I don’t know if my friends would be fond of me disappearing without so much as a letter…”
“You could send them one!” Fount said eagerly. Too eagerly. He barely knew this cookie.
Healer replied, “Alright then.”
He appeared as excited as Fount felt.
Fount grabbed his hand, gently pulling him toward the stairs. Healer allowed Fount to guide him, running his hands across the walls of the stairwell. They arrived at the entrance to a long hall, the ceiling speckled with dots of light, appearing like the night sky.
“Wait here,” Fount said, starting down the hall, “It’s easy to get lost around here, so…”
Healer frowned, “Could I not go with you?”
“Well—” Fount stopped.
There isn’t really any reason Healer couldn’t.
Though, there isn’t any reason he shouldn’t just stay either.
“Fine,” he continued, “C’mon, it’s a bit of a walk.”
Healer smiled, his hand going to the wall once again as he followed behind Fount. Every time they turned a corner, Healer stopped to figure out where Fount was going, before continuing to follow after him.
Eventually, Fount stopped at a small closet door, Healer bumping into his side. Fount nudged the door open, floating up to grab a quill and some parchment from the top shelf. He landed with a small “hmph—!”, barely keeping himself on his feet.
“Are you okay?” Healer asked, putting his hand on Fount’s shoulder.
Fount pushed his hand off, "I'm fine. I just landed wrong. Anyway—” he grabbed a small bottle of ink, and shoved everything into Healer’s hands “—you can use this to let your friends know you’re… staying here for a bit.” he tilted his head, “Say, would you like to try going through a portal? It… can feel a bit odd, but I could take you to your room faster.”
Do not take that poor cookie through a portal.
DO IT. He’ll be fineee, just a little dizzy!
Healer was focused on keeping everything in his hands, “Uhm— sure! I’ll… try it.”
“Alllright!” Fount spun his staff around, opening a portal in the air, pulling Healer through.
Healer stumbled as the exited out the other side, catching himself on the desk as he discarded everything in his hands
“Whoa,” he muttered, collapsing into the desk
Fount pulled him up, “…you okay?”
I told you not to—!
“Mhm. just a little dizzy,” Healer moved out of Fount’s grip, sitting on the bed. He ran his hands across the blanket, then moved to snuggle into it.
Fount closed the portal, then reopened it to go to his own room.
“I’ll— leave you alone now.”
He stepped through before Healer could protest.
What was he doing?
What was he doing??
What was he doing???
This— this couldn’t end well. He wasn’t supposed to make friends. He was supposed to be the Fount of Knowledge. A Divine Emissary, meant to provide Knowledge to those who seek it. Not— not whatever he was doing now.
He’d have to tell Healer they couldn’t be friends. It wasn’t like he’d said yes. He could fix this! It… might not be the kindest thing right now, but it’d be better for both of them overall.
The silver light of the moon fell through the curtains. It was already nighttime. He should probably at least wait until the morning, right?
Right.
He fell into his bed, not even bothering to change out of his robes, finally noticing the exhaustion overtaking his dough. The sheets felt softer and warmer than usual. Safer. He burrowed into the blankets, his starlit hair tangling in them. He could worry about getting himself out in the morning.
Raindrops beat against the walls of the Spire, and he listened until it lulled him to sleep.