MERRY CHRISMAS TO ALL OF YOU WHO CELEBRATE!!
I've been working hard on the next part of the little Sage and Truthless fic set (3 chapters/ 5000 words in despite my slow writing yayyyyy)
And so for the holidays I will give you all the first chapter extra early. A small gift I hope you guys enjoy and look forward to when I have it all done to post <3
“And that class, is why you never bring star candies into the Scovian far north without airtight bags!”
Sage clapped his hands as he finished his lecture for the class, smiling out at his students as they finished writing down their notes. He was always so happy seeing how eager they were to learn…however today he was extra excited. Barely able to keep his feet on the floor.
The loud chime of the bells rang though the halls, signifying the end of class, and Sage waited no time to grab his notes.
“With that I’ll see you all in a few days for our next class! If you have any questions do write them down for then or don’t hesitate to ask me after my lectures in the square if you catch me then!”
He didn’t wait for anyone to reply before he was already gone. Zipping out of the hall faster than most could see.
“It’s so nice to see the Professor so happy again.”
The young lady, a light cream coloured cookie with short whipped cream hair soft and fluffy, watched the door where Sage had left with a small smile.
“Yeah agreed. Good thing whatever argument or situation that had him and the Recluse apart for a while seems to have been fixed. He was so depressed is was almost contagious.” The cookie next to her, a taller girl with long hair tied up in a ponytail leaned over on the other with a sappy smile. “Though I can’t blame him really. I’d be depressed too if you left me alone that long Sweet Cream, must have been even worse when he already got to spend so little time with him.”
Behind them a young man didn’t hesitate to use his book to smack the tall girl on the head, rolling his eyes at her overly dramatic whining.
“That’s different Cranberry, you and Sweet Cream are dating.”
“Yeah? And do you get so excited that you literally cant stay grounded just to see your ‘friend’ for a weekly meeting? Like seriously Current, are your eyes working? There’s no way they’re ‘just friends’”
Current frowned, crossing his arms.
“I’d like to think our professor, the Sage of Truth would have better taste than to fall for the one cookie with Truthless in his name.”
“The heart wants what the heart wants!!!”
Sensing the brewing argument (or ‘debate’ as they’d claim), Sweet Cream gently pulled Popping Cranberry back. Giving her a peck on a cheek that did wonders to calm her down and go back to snuggling her girlfriend.
“We don’t know anything either way so I believe it would be more rude to assume. Not just about the Recluse, since clearly he can’t be that bad if Professor is so clearly fond of their time together, but about their relationship as a whole.” Current scoffed but nodded. As usual Sweet Cream made a good neutral point. She was good at that. “Why don’t we just ask him? He’s always so open to well meaning questions, and we are just happy that he’s happy so?”
“I dunno, he seems the type to shout his love from the rooftops if he was open to talk about it. I bet it’s a secret because he’s worried people will think the Recluse brainwashed him or something and it would put him in danger.”
“Well then… why don’t we put it to the test?”
All three pairs of eyes turned to their friend who’d been watching them in amusement until then.
“That seems…unethical Skim.”
Skim Milk cookie gave White Current Cookie a concerned look.
“No?? What did you think I was suggesting??? I was just thinking we get someone to ask him about the Recluse, make it seem like they were planning to try and flirt with him or something and since ‘you seem close do you have any suggestions?’. If they were just friends then he’d likely be happy his friend is getting positive attention at least, if they’re together or even if he just has romantic feelings for him he should get defensive.”
At the surprised looks from the others he grinned.
“We’re scholars or at least will be, so might as well treat this like an experiment and show Professor either way how well we’ve taken his lessons to heart.”
“That’s a great idea!!! Oooh I volunteer to ask!!!” Cranberry eagerly shouted, getting a few odd looks from the few other students still slowly trickling out of the room. They were used to her antics though so it wasn’t for long.
“Cran, he knows we’re dating since we thanked him for his classes being how we met. He won’t believe you’re a potential ‘threat’ so it likely won’t work for you.”
“That’s where you’re wrong my Sweetie! The mere idea of someone flirting with a significant other can be enough to cause protectiveness, and the fact I’m not a real threat will give us deniability about this plot of ours.”
“Or we could just ask him?”
“Then do both.” Current said. “Ask what his relationship with the Truthless Recluse is, and if he says friend or anything like that then test his reaction to potentially flirting with him.”
They all nodded, their plan set.
“Now all we need to do is wait for our next class.”
~~~
The four of them took their usual seats, trying very hard to focus on the lesson and not give away their plot. Cranberry in particular was ready to vibrate out of her seat, however at least she hid it well to those who weren’t one of her closes friends.
It felt like an eternity waiting for the bell to rings and signify the end of class, but they managed to keep it together and even take some useful notes.
Thankfully it didn’t seem like anyone had any questions for the Sage today, so the rest of the students quickly began to pack up and leave. Letting Cranberry with a nod to her friends set the plan in motion.
Sage looked up from where he’d been tidying his own papers, a bright smile on his face. He always did enjoy being called Professor over Sage by his students, it was a well known fact and why almost all of those who took his classes did so even outside of it. He said it was because of the connection it represented, as their professor it also meant they were his students. A sweet gesture.
“Yes Popping Cranberry? Do you have any questions about today’s lesson?”
“Not so much about today’s lesson, no. Do you mind if I ask something that may be a little personal? You don’t need to I’m just a little curious about something.”
Sage tilted his head at her like a curious cakehound, but his smile didn’t waver.
“A question about me? Go right ahead then.”
“What’s your relationship with the Truthless Recluse?” there was no point trying to phrase it in a way that would sound a little more polite. She was known to be a little blunt with her words. “You’re seen around with him so much and always seem so happy on those days I couldn’t hell but be a little curious.”
At the mention of the Recluse Sage seemed to almost literally brighten.
At the mention of the Recluse Sage seemed to almost literally brighten. His smile growing warmer and eyes crinkling in happiness just thinking about him.
“Oh he’s my dear friend of course!! Don’t let his grumpy foreboding attitude fool you he’s not a bad cookie at all, simply has different views on the truth as most of us.” Witches if his words didn’t make it clear how fond of the other he was, his tone would without mistake. “So rarely I get a cookie who can give me a run for my money in a debate and he’s always really making me think. An incredibly sharp and intelligent man who’s a delightful company , if you can handle his even sharper tongue and attitude that is.”
He seemed genuine about thinking he’s a friend… but… something about it rang off to her. Sweet Cream better be watching and listening because she was always the best of them reading emotions.
“Really? Seems so unfair everyone keeps their distance then… since you two are friends then do you perhaps know his favorite flower? Oh or treat?! Perhaps it would be nice to make him feel a little more welcome down here… he seems cute so would be a shame to hide away on that peak if he’s not actually that bad…”
For a brief moment it felt like death itself had settled it’s eyes in her, from the way Sage’s entire vibe shifted. The switch from joy to emanating a feeling that could only be described as complete and utter dread at what she’d just suggested was so quick she wasn’t prepared.
And just as quick it was gone, shoved abruptly under a mask of a smile that was far less genuine than before.
“What a lovely idea!! It’s about time people stop staring at him like he’s the source of all that’s wrong with the world, and perhaps it might make it a little easier to convince him to spend time out and about. He isn’t too picky with flowers though, and doesn’t eat much so anything with a friendly meaning behind it would likely be nice. Just make sure I’m there when you give them to him!! I want to see the look on his face when you do, I bet it will be priceless!”
Grabbing the papers off the podium where he taught, Sage made a quick excuse to leave and quickly left after that, leaving Cranberry to drift back over to the other three awaiting her. Still a little stunned by the emotional whiplash.
“I stand corrected.” White Current sounded a little shaken too, it seemed it wasn’t JUST her that felt the dread. “It would seem they might be more than friends.”
Skimmed milk cookie could only nod quietly behind him, still watching the door where sage left with a little fear…however Sweet Cream…
Current and Skim looked at her dumbfounded.
“Did you NOT also feel our impending doom looming over us at the mere mention of something that could be taken as flirting with the Recluse???”
“No I did but… I think he was telling the truth when he called him a friend. He was being genuine.”
Cranberry gave her girlfriend a grin, bouncing back quickly from the primal fear at the potential plot already brewing in her mind, even as Sweet Cream says what she’d been suspecting.
“I think he does like-like him…but I don’t think even he realizes it.”
“So you know what that means.”
Both Current and Sweet looked concerned at her, knowing she was already up to something, but Skim smiled, already on board with whatever scheme was brewing.
“He needs a little nudge to help him out, and I bet we could be excellent wingmen. I have an idea already, come on let’s get to my place. Planning is best done over snacks after all!”
“And for writing our Wills for when things inevitably go wrong.”
