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The king of Faeriewood.
An elusive, secretive figure. Always roaming through the shadows in his kingdom that isn't visible to the naked eye. He wasn't always like this, though. There was a time when he was kind, outspoken, and loved by many.
Now many only hear mere whispers of his existence. And this is why the ever curious Sage of Truth is drawn to him so.
The faeries are one of the most interesting cookies on all of Earthbread due to their secrecy. While the Sage has almost an entire section of his library dedicated to their culture and history, he feels like he can never learn anything from it at all. Knowing is different from experience, after all.
So, he yearns to meet a faerie one day. And because the Sage enjoys making things hard for himself, he wants to specifically meet the king. If there is one cookie shrouded in mystery, it's him.
He has no idea of how to go about this, though. It's not like he can just stroll into Faeriewood and request his presence. He can't even enter the kingdom without help!
"Oh Sugar.." The Sage sighs, as he leans on one of the many bright pink trees in Eternal Sugar's beautiful garden, "I just don't know what to do.."
He sets the book he was reading down on the grass, and turns to Eternal Sugar, who is lazing around on one of her many cotton candy clouds, allowing a small sugar angel to do her hair. "Is this about the elusive faerie king you keep talking about? You've been so enamored with him lately.. Should I call Pavlova in?" She laughs.
"Curiosity does not equate to love, Sugar," the Sage states, as he pushes up his monocle.
"Well with the way you've been talking about him, it does seem like a bit more than just that."
"It's just.. I need to know! You know me, I can't let one puzzle go unsolved!"
"Hmm.." Eternal Sugar taps her chin, as the small sugar angel finishes her hair and flies away. "How about.. You invite him to a party!"
"A.. Party? Are you serious?" The Sage asks, looking up at Eternal Sugar in disbelief. "There's no way that will work."
"Have you ever tried, dearie? You keep saying you don't know what else to do, but you clearly haven't actually tried communicating with the man. Isn't that the first step?"
The Sage's brain short circuits for a second. She's right. For a scholar he should know better than this, but alas, he may have not thought of that. But..
"Wouldn't it seem weird if me, a complete stranger nonetheless, invited the king of Faeriewood to a party with me being the only other attendee?"
"You can invite other people! I'm sure our other friends would be glad to come! You don't need to tell them that you're really there for the faerie king.." She trails off. "Ah! I can invite my dearest, Flour, too! Though I'd assume you'd invite her anyway.. Count me in, Blueberry!" Eternal Sugar smiles.
Gosh, she's already daydreaming. The Sage guesses he'll have to set this party up.
----
The faerie king doesn't get much mail. In fact, he never gets mail at all.
That is until one fateful day.
As usual, the king returns to his darkened, slowly decaying palace. Everything else in Faeriewood is pristine as always, except the most grand structure of all. After all, the citizens are forbidden from stepping foot near it or their king.
So why is there a letter on his doorstep? It doesn't even look like it originated from Faeriewood! It's not covered in silver nor written in song.
The king sighs, picks it up, and takes it to his quarters.
Once he arrives, he notices that a small letter is attached to it, and decides to read that first. He carefully opens it, noticing that the letter doesn't even have a post stamp in front, meaning someone delivered it by hand. The way they did that is beyond him.
He takes out the small slip of paper and begins to read the note. When he finishes, he almost crumples it in his hands out of shock.
A ball? Why would he want to go to one of those? With a bunch of complete strangers no less?
Utter nonsense.. But why is it that he still shows up anyways?
----
The Spire of All Knowledge is never this packed with people. Usually, a few enter to check out the Sage's expansive library, but none come here to celebrate. That's what the town square is for!
However, way back when his Spire was still being constructed, he did leave space for a ballroom. It's not a huge one, but it's big enough for a sizable ball.
He wasn't expecting this many people to show up, though.
In his letter, he did say they could bring friends, but he never specified how many..
So of course, Spice brought a couple leaders of the various spice tribes, Salt brought many of his close knights, and Sugar brought some of the inhabitants of her Garden.
Flour was the only one who only brought one other guest. Her little Cloud Haetae. A few town musicians also came to help serenade the whole event.
The Sage doesn't really care all that much about them, though. He's only looking out for one person. The king of Faeriewood. It was already a bit of a hassle getting the letter delivered anyways, but luckily his assistant, Black Sapphire, has some ties to the faerie kingdom. Apparently he's close friends with one of them, but refuses to elaborate.
He never sees him enter, though.
Maybe he refused his invitation..
It's alright, though! At least he has his friends to chat with!
Before that, though, the Sage is stopped by one of his dear followers, Black Sapphire.
"Master!" He exclaims, walking up to the blue scholar. "I hope that I delivered your letter to the correct place, hmm? Y'know I went through a lot of trouble getting it there, heh.."
The Sage smiles. "Good to see you, Black Sapphire. Thank you for delivering my invitation.. I don't know if they accepted, though.. And do you still refuse to tell me why you have ties with the faeries?"
"I'm not telling you," he snickers once more, knowing that the unanswered question will piss the Sage off for eternity. "Goodness, if that person doesn't show up, all my hard work would've gone to waste!"
"I know.. What can we do though?" The Sage asks.
Black Sapphire does not respond, as he stands for a moment before leaving to converse with the others.
The Sage floats through the sea of people, occasionally chatting with some of the attendees unfamiliar to him. He doesn't really interact with the affiliates of his friends, after all. He can't stop the feeling of disappointment, though. He even did his hair and put on his finest clothing for the occasion, that being a blue vest, white long sleeve, and white pants with golden accent to tie the whole thing together.
At some point in during the ball, he finds himself mindlessly talking to Mystic Flour, who was previously meditating in the corner. She's not usually the one for celebration, but she does enjoy being with her other four friends, especially Eternal Sugar.
As they talk, she notices the Sage's slightly disappointed expression.
"What troubles you, Blueberry Milk? Your disappointment is incredibly visible," she says quietly and calmly. Mystic Flour offers him a seat on the floor next to her.
"It's just," the Sage begins, as he sits down and looks up at the ceiling lights, "I really only hosted this whole thing in hopes that one guest would arrive.. But it seems that he never came."
"The reclusive faerie king? Sugar mentioned it while we were preparing for the event."
The Sage nods. "I was really hoping he'd come, Flour.."
"Disappointment is inevitable in life. It is important we let those things go, like flour in th- Cloud Haetae. Stop chasing Candy Apple," Mystic Flour cuts herself off, as she notices that her haetae and Candy Apple are play fighting again. "I'm sorry, Blue. I must intervene."
Mystic Flour gets up, and disappears into the sea of people. He laughs a bit, as he watches her lecture the two.
He thinks about what Mystic Flour was saying about letting things go, and decides to grab a breath of fresh air as he ponders her statement. How though? How do you let disappointment go easily?
He stands on the giant balcony, allowing the cool wind to blow in his face. The Sage closes his eyes and sighs, dropping his head down onto his arms that rest on the railing.
As he closes his eyes, he hears a small rustling sound from behind him. He doesn't really want to check though, and just assumes it was an insect.
The rustling then turns into footsteps, and the Sage feels a presence beside him.
And then, a voice speaks out.
"..Are you the one hosting this party?" The voice is soft and deep, almost inaudible if you don't listen close enough.
The Sage's eyes quickly open, as he stares at the stranger. A blonde man with tan skin, tired eyes, and translucent wings fluttering behind him. He wears attire reminiscent of a flower, with wilting hydrangeas surrounding his neck. A crown sits atop his head, one fit for a king.
The Sage immediately grabs onto the king, and drags him close to him, allowing their bodies to touch. "You.. You actually came! The faerie king!" He smiles and laughs joyously, as he grabs his arms and spins him around like a dance.
All the while, the king stares at the Sage with a slightly repulsed look. "..Why must you do this to me?"
"Do.. Oh! I- Uh," the Sage stutters, as he sheepishly lets go of the king. "Um.. I'm just so excited you came! I.. Didn't expect it, aha.. You're quite the secretive person, after all!"
"..Keep acting like this and it shall be the last time you hear of me."
The Sage's face is dusted with a bright blue blush, as he frantically begins to apologize. "Please! I didn't mean to.. Be overbearing? I was just.."
"Shut it. I want to hear none of your empty apologies. Maybe it was a mistake to come," the king says quietly, as his dual toned eyes bore directly into the Sage's soul.
The Sage stays quiet, and goes back to staring at the moonlight. This seems to please the king, who stares along with him.
Out of anxiety, the Sage hums a quiet tune into the cool night sky, his eyes occasionally darting to the king standing next to him.
"..Have you," the Sage speaks up once more after a few minutes, "been enjoying the ball?"
"Waste of time, but at least I had some peace and quiet for a moment."
"If you knew you wouldn't enjoy it.. Why come? It was completely optional."
"Sheer curiosity, Sage of Truth. Or should I call you Blueberry Milk?" The king looks over at Blueberry Milk, who wears an expression of shock.
"How did you.. Never mind." He stays silent for a second, reorienting himself, before he sticks out his hand. "Yes, I am Blueberry Milk, more commonly known as the Sage of Truth, or simply the Sage. I am the holder of the Soul Jam of Truth. And you are..?"
The king simply stares at his hand. "Does my identity matter at all? I am but a mere hermit, a shut in, a recluse.. Who just happens to run the faerie kingdom."
"A recluse.." Blueberry Milk thinks for a second. "I think I'll call you that!"
The Recluse pinches his nose bridge. "Idiot. I thought you were much more intelligent than that."
"Well.. You wouldn't tell me your name."
The Recluse glares at him. "Whatever.. It's all futile anyways."
Blueberry Milk laughs. "Hah! You're just like Flour.. Always taking things as they are.."
The two go silent for another moment, before a lightbulb goes off in Blueberry Milk's head.
"Say.. This is a formal ball after all, and I have been looking forward to your arrival, reclusive king.. May you dance with me?" Blueberry Milk tries his best to keep his calm, but he is not-so-secretly incredibly nervous about it. He offers a blue hand out to the king, who stares for a moment, before clenching onto it.
"..Entertain me."
"Heh.. Why are your hands so cold, my reclusive king?" He says, as he moves his other hand onto his shoulder, slowly moving him side to side.
The Recluse says nothing to that statement, placing his free hand on Blueberry Milk's shoulder.
The moonlight illuminates the two of them as they slowly dance across the balcony. Blueberry Milk stares into his dazzling eyes, a blush covering his face.
"You're.. Quite handsome, if I do say so myself.." Blueberry Milk whispers, as he gently spins the king around.
The king stays silent, staring into the distance, cold and quiet.
Eventually, the two part, and the king wordlessly flutters into the night sky before Blueberry Milk has a chance to tell him something.
He holds out a longing hand into the inky black sky, reaching out for the Recluse he can't have.
----
"And.. And he accepted my dance! I can't believe it!" He smiles, as he once more finds himself sitting in Eternal Sugar's garden, this time accompanied by Mystic Flour. As of right now, Mystic Flour is simply listening, while Eternal Sugar helps braid Blueberry Milk's long hair.
"We both saw, Blue," Mystic Flour calmly states, keeping her eyes closed. "I think Spice and Salt saw as well."
"Aha! It was so romantic! You two should've kissed under the moonlight.."
"Oh, stop it, Sugar.."
As the three bicker about, one of the many residents of the Garden passes by. A grey cookie, who doesn't really fit in with the vibrancy of the Garden as a whole, but still has the same joy as all its denizens. She wears a very familiar set of armor.. A silver armor with many ornate detailing. Behind her are a silver pair of wings. Could she be..?
"Oh! Sugarfly! Come here darling!"
She turns her head and gives a small wave to the three of them. "Good afternoon, Blueberry Milk, Eternal Sugar, and Mystic Flour. Blueberry Milk and Mystic Flour, I don't believe we've formally met, but I am Sugarfly.." She trails off, locking eyes with Blueberry Milk, who was just staring at her intensely. "Do you.. Need something from me, Blueberry Milk?"
His eyes quickly dart away, "No, not at all! I was just wondering.. Are you.. A faerie, perchance?"
"Yes. I live in Faeriewood.. But I enjoy visiting Eternal Sugar's wonderful Garden."
"Can you get me into Faeriewood? Please?" Blueberry Milk asks. He desperately wants to see the Recluse again.
"Huh..? I can.. But.. I'm not sure if my king would be happy about visitors. Ever since he fell into despair he's hidden the whole kingdom away from public."
Not thinking, Blueberry Milk quickly blurts out, "Well, I danced with him last night!"
Sugarfly looks at him in bewilderment. "You.. Danced with him? Incredible.. No one's been able to contact him in years!" She laughs.
"What a lucky man you are, Blue!" Eternal Sugar smiles. "Ah! I know the perfect date spot for you two-" Mystic Flour covers her mouth, cutting her off.
"Do not listen to her, Blue. I'm proud of you, though." Mystic Flour bluntly states, as she removes her hand off of Eternal Sugar's face.
"Flour! You could've ruined my makeup!" Eternal Sugar pouts, glaring at Mystic Flour.
Blueberry Milk says nothing, instead looking back at Sugarfly. "So.. Are you ready to go?"
"If you are, then yes. We may depart now. It's not far from here.."
"Heh.. I have a faster way of transportation!" Blueberry Milk opens up a portal, and drags Sugarfly inside before she can question anything.
----
The Recluse wanders about his garden full of dying plants, listening to the whispers that plague his mind. After that one fated day, he hasn't been able to silence them at all, as they continuously spew out lies attempting to bring him down.
But last night was.. Strange.
The magic radiating off of Blueberry Milk silenced the whispers for just a moment, giving him peace.
If only the solution didn't come at the price of having to stick by such an annoying man.
But maybe the real solution was to have never dabbled in Dark Moon Magic at all..
It's all his fault, isn't it? This was all self inflected. If he hadn't made the choice, he would still be happy and smiling. Everything is his fault, after all..
At least that's what the whispers say.
As he walks through his garden, he realizes how tired he actually is. He doesn't think he slept last night. Or the night before that.
The Recluse sits down near one of the rotting willow trees, and dozes off. Before that, though, he mentally prepares himself for an awful nightmare.
He knows he won't be able to sleep for more than 10 minutes, at most.
----
"What.. Is this place?" Sugarfly asks, as she walks through the cold black-and-blue void of the Other-Realm.
"One of my little science experiments!" Blueberry Milk chuckles. "I call it my Other-Realm! Don't worry. You're completely safe.
Sugarfly looks around nervously, before taking a deep breath. "I trust in you, Blueberry Milk."
Blueberry Milk opens up another portal, this going to the outside world. "Recognize this place?"
A silvery forest awaits outside of the portal, one Sugarfly is quite accustomed to.
"I've been to this exact spot multiple times, but I have not yet found a solution to the ancient magic protecting the kingdom. One day I'll make a spell.." Blueberry Milk trails off, as he floats into the outside world.
Sugarfly follows close by, as she breaks the barrier surrounding the kingdom, allowing Blueberry Milk to finally enter. He looks around in amazement.
Instantly, he floats in, examining the unique flora and fauna, along with the ancient silverware lining the kingdom.
"Ah! Please, do be careful. The plants and architecture in the area are quite fragile.." Sugarfly says.
Blueberry Milk backs away sheepishly. "Sorry.. I got carried away."
Sugarfly sighs. "I understand. Not many are invited into our lovely kingdom, after all."
Sugarfly begins walking in, greeting a few of the faeries that are standing by, idly guarding the kingdom. Blueberry Milk follows close behind, making sure not to make any disruptions as he knows the faeries hate outsiders.
Nestled near the heart of the silver kingdom is a dull looking palace. Vines grow over it, indicating its lack of maintenance over the years. Its silver shine is gone as well.
"That over there," Sugarfly begins, pointing at the palace, "is where my king resides. I'm afraid to say that most are banned from entry, but if you'd like to try.. Go ahead. Don't tell anyone I was the one who suggested it, though." She sheepishly smiles, before fluttering away.
He sighs. "Alright, then.. Here goes nothing.."
Blueberry Milk floats up to the palace, preparing to knock. Out of the corner of his eye, though, he spots a vibrant green in a sea of silver, nestled in the garden next to the establishment.
----
In his dreams, the king finds himself in an empty, white void, much different from the endless nightmares he's tormented with. No screams of agony, no people crying out of fear..
Just pure silence.
How.. Relaxing.
He feels a warmth cradling him, as he sinks further into sleep, entering a dreamless state.
----
Blueberry Milk isn't sure how long he's been holding the Recluse for, but it feels like an eternity.
After finding him passed out in the garden, he carefully sat down next to him and placed his head on his lap. He's been sitting like this ever since, not wanting to disturb the king. He's quite cute, after all.
Gosh, why is he thinking this!? They barely know each other, but..
He's inexplicably drawn to him.
Maybe he really is just drawn to mysteries, and when confronted with the man that is the embodiment of one, he just can't let him slip away.
Blueberry Milk gently strokes the Recluse's blonde hair, watching as his chest falls and rises. Only mere days ago did he think that he would never get a glimpse of the elusive faerie king, but now he rests peacefully in his lap.
----
After an hour or two, the Recluse begins to stir and wake up.
Once Blueberry Milk realizes it, he instantly shoves him off of his lap, pretending he was merely sitting next to him, and not letting him lay on him.
The Recluse sits up, blinks a bit, and then scowls.
"You.. How did you get in my kingdom?" He bitterly spits out.
Blueberry Milk laughs nervously. "Well.. A little butterfly let me in, aha.."
The Recluse scoffs. "And pray tell, why would you even seek out my presence?"
"Mere curiosity, my friend!"
The Recluse raises his eyebrow. "Friend?"
"I consider all who seek me out friends. And you, Recluse, sought me out at the ball!" He mentally slaps himself. That is probably the stupidest excuse he's ever made for accidentally calling someone a friend.
"..Of course. How could I be so mistaken." He sarcastically says, as he leans back on the tree. Witches, his mind hasn't been this calm in ages. He wishes that the whispers could be gone forever..
"What's it like being the king of the faeries, if I may ask?" Blueberry Milk speaks up after a moment of silence. He might as well pry answers out of the Recluse while he's calm.
"..My title holds no meaning to me. They simply live by the rules once enforced in the past. They're happy here. They have no reason to rebel."
"So they listen to what you command? Why don't you use it to gain more power?"
"Again.. I do not care about governing others or the issue of others. I simply want to be left alone.. Unlike you, Sage of Truth, who seems to care too much about others.."
Blueberry Milk thinks for a moment. "Why do you know who I am? I have never seen you in my village until mere nights ago, and you say you do not care about the issues of others."
The Recluse thinks for a moment. Does he let the scholar know and ask more questions? Or does he refuse to answer?
Before he can think it through, he blurts out an answer. "The Soul Jam of Truth.. Is mine."
"Huh? Yours? Preposterous! It's been mine for ages!" Blueberry Milk laughs.
From underneath his robes, the Recluse pulls out an ice cold blue gem, shaped identically to Blueberry Milk's Soul Jam.
"What is this?" He instantly snatches it from his hand, holding it up to the light. The second he grabs it though, a shiver goes down his spine, as whispers begin to fill his mind.
He yelps, and instantly tosses it into the grass. "What.. What was that noise?"
"..That, my friend.. Was the power of the Soul Jam of Deceit.."
Blueberry Milk gasps. "You.. The faerie king I've been searching for.. Are my other half!?" He instantly leans forward as he sits, his nose touching the king's nose. Blueberry Milk smiles.
The Recluse pushes him off, before getting up and grabbing his Soul Jam that Blueberry Milk oh-so-graciously threw away.
"What was all that whispering about, my other half?" Blueberry Milk asks as he floats up and towards the Recluse. "It was.. Quite frightening."
The Recluse sighs. "Nothing.. I'm just glad your presence seems to silence it. My life hasn't been this peaceful until you showed up. But maybe your endless talking balances that out.."
"Welp! I hope I can continue to bring you peace, my friend.."
"Hmph.." The Recluse looks down at the grass.
He's glad he attended that ball.