“You should be out there celebrating.”  

A voice called out as they entered the large library. “They're here for you, you know?”

A laugh was heard from the corner of the room, hidden behind piles of books.

Sitting cross legged on an arm chair was a beautiful man holding a cup of tea. His long black slacks were tight on his skin, his deep neckline shirt hung dangerously low. Golden rings decorated his fingers, as well as small hoops embedded into his ears.

“Oh Sage.. You mustn't stay inside forever. You know what they'll say, don't you?”

Sage rolled his eyes and looked back down at the cup of warm tea in his hand. With a tilt of his head, he starred down at his reflection. He furrowed his brows as the tea leaves in the cup formed a shape on the surface.

“You don't want the people thinking you're weak.. Even worse, hearing from Oleander.”

Sage scoffed, carelessly placing the cup of tea on a small table with piles of books on top.

“No one will think of anything.” He got up from the chair, dusting himself off briefly before walking passed the woman. He stopped at a bookcase, reaching out and pulling out a large purple book with gold borders. Carefully, he ran his hand over the cover and blew on it gently, causing a cloud of dust to fly away.

“You forget we are not in Ipomoea, Forsynthia. This is Wisteria, the Land of Magic.”

Forsynthia shook her head, sitting on one of the plush seats near the window. She crossed a leg over the other, keeping her eyes on Sage as he flipped through the pages. After another page was turned, he traced the letters with his finger before stopping.

“Many years ago, on a hill-”

Forsynthia laughed wholeheartedly, “Not this again! Listen Sage, you have to-”

Sage put up his hand, his head deep in the book. His long, silver hair falling into the words printed onto the pages as he remained bent over.

He continued, “-a family of rabbits sat. Every night, they huddled together to watch the night sky. When it was time to go to bed, the littluns would beg their mothers to stay outside to watch the stars. On this particular night, after their elders had gone to sleep, something marched up their hill. There came along a wolf. The small rabbits shook in fear as the wolf sat in front of them.”

Sage briefly looked up from the book, looking at Forsythia, who it had seemed looking out the window was more inviting.

He continued, “The wolf leaned down, whispering that men were going to demolish the hill. It was a warning, but the rabbits were taught well. When the wolf left and the morning came, the littluns spoke nothing of a wolf. When days had begun to pass and not one sign of a man had come, the rabbits had once again thought themselves as safe. Then, one early morning, men could be heard from across the hill-”

Suddenly, the doors to the library were opened and a man approached the two. He bowed his head towards Sage before turning to Forsythia, “My lady, an important guest would like to speak with you. If you don't mind, Ruler Sage, if I could-”

Sage shook his head, slowly placing the book down on a table. “I don't mind at all. Forsynthia, we will catch up some other night. I bid you good night.”

Forsynthia nodded her head as she walked by him, her heels tapping against the floor.

Sage sighed, looking down at the open book.

“How does it end?” an approaching voice said, interrupting Sage’s thoughts.

Without turning around, Sage answered, “How would you like it to end?”

A soft chuckle escaped the unknown man's mouth as he slipped by Sage and sat on the chair the other was on previously.

“Of course, there are two ways this could end. The first would be that the rabbits died a tragic death because they believed too much that the wolf was so bad. The second one, which I'm sure everyone would prefer; the wolf returns in time to save the rabbits. Which is the real ending?”

Sage grunted quietly, skimming through the pages. “The author never finished the book.”

The man in the chair reached to the side and grabbed onto the unfinished cup of tea, taking a sip before frowning. He opened his mouth, about to question the intention of the author before he was interrupted.

“What brings you here, Ussurian?”

A disappointed whine was heard from the man sitting on the chair. Ussurian rested his elbow on the arm rest as he watched Sage shut the book and place it back on the shelf.

“Why? Can't I stop by whenever I want?”

Sage remained by the shelf, attempting to ignore the other. He ran his fingers along the books, walking further away.

Ussurian tilted his head when he could no longer see the older man from where he sat. After neatly placing the cup of tea back down, he got up to follow Sage.

“Why are you ignoring me?”

Sage continued down the isles of books, seemingly trying to get lost in them.

Ussurian turned left and met up with Sage half way down the aisle.  

The horned man opened his mouth and was interrupted once again,

“Enough. I don't want to play your games.”

Sage turned swiftly towards the other who was pouting. His long white and gold robe trailed alongside him as he took another step towards him.

“These games are for children, much like yourself. Cut it out.”

The taller man faked hurt and placed a hand over his heart. “This isn't a game-”

Sage shook his head and moved passed Ussurian, momentarily bumping shoulders.

He stopped beside him, not meeting the others gaze.

“We both know that's a lie, so do me a favour and leave the room, or I will.”

Ussurian, left in the middle of the aisle stood there taken back. He let out a sigh, looking at Sage helplessly who was looking straight ahead.

“I'll make things easier for you, I'll leave.”

As he stood there, Sage disappeared out of his sight.

After standing there for what seemed like hours, he reluctantly turned back around and made his way to the back of the library.

He sat back down on the plush chair, reaching for the cup of tea.

Ussurian downed it in one shot, feeling content on this small accomplishment. Then, he swirled the cup in his hands for a brief moment before looking down at the inside of the cup. There were few rings from its constant use, but apart from its uncleanness, there lay 6 small tea leaves, forming the shape of a heart. With a growl, Ussurian tossed the cup at the nearest wall, shattering the cup in pieces.

He watched for a moment as the remnants of leaves and tea slid down the stone wall. His eyes followed the trail but stopped at an old dusty box neatly placed in the corner of the room. It stood on top of a red rusty container with only one drawer.

Curiously, he lifted the box’s lid and revealed what looked like a turntable. Ussurian raised his brow, thinking about how Sage had kept this from everyone. He pushed the man out from his thoughts and quickly looked around for a disk to use. Without any luck, he took a step back and looked at the container. Without any knobs to open the drawer, he didn't know how to open it.

“Oh Sage, you and your tricks.”

Ussurian looked around once more before tapping on the side of the container, causing the drawer to pop open.

Ussurian shook his head, stifling a laugh. Once it was all set up, he sat back onto the chair and closed his eyes as melodious music filled the room, nearly causing him to forget his worries.