Chapter Text
🌼~~💛~~🌼
Day One
White Lily Cookie groans as she awakes, sitting up uncomfortably in her bed. She’d fallen asleep on her side, neck stretched out, and now it hurts like hell. As she sits, she presses a hand to her forehead, looking out the window. It looked like mid-morning, perhaps ten AM? She sighed and shook herself before swinging her legs off the side of the bed and standing.
Today was the first day of seven she’d have to get close to Blueberry Crème Cookie. That is, if she could find him in the castle. But she also knew this place better than him with his... Amnesia. She sighed again and pinched the bridge of her nose before grabbing her staff and exiting. She didn’t necessarily know where Blueberry was situated on castle grounds, but he’d told her he liked to garden and help in the library. She’d go there if she couldn’t find him in the communal mess hall, and then perhaps to Black Sapphire if she really couldn’t find him.
She could do this. But how? Was she supposed to subtly remind him of something he used to do until it all came back? Maybe she was supposed to all out tell him- Wait, no, Sapphire said that’d be bad... Grumbling, she made her way down the hall, stopping only to look out at the courtyard with that new Silver Tree Shadow Milk had somehow made. He’d somehow bonded a regular tree with a branch he’d taken from the original tree in the Silver Kingdom, creating this monstrosity.
She wondered how Pure Vanilla Cookie had felt to be trapped there; how it felt to lose his memory? If anything, she hoped she could help him regain them. She needed her friend back. She had no doubt that Shadow Milk Cookie was subtly influencing him, and she didn’t think she imagined it when he gave Blueberry Crème a peck of a kiss on his cheek.
It stirred a deep fury within her- How dare Shadow Milk make a mockery of this! How dare he be fine with Pure Vanilla Cookie just... Being Blueberry Crème Cookie! It was horrible! How dare he play along and manipulate someone who’d lost their memory into doing what he wanted?!
Huffing out a breath, she enters the mess hall. No one looks up; the place was meant for anyone- and everyone in the Kingdom to come and eat. No matter how rich or poor, you’d always get a meal here. At least Shadow Milk Cookie hadn’t changed this.
Going to the breakfast bar, she takes a plate and starts to pile food on. When she was younger, both her and Pure Vanilla would constantly forget to eat, too engrossed in their studies, letting them become starved for that day. It was an old habit she could never shake, but Pure Vanilla would always remind them that they would need food once it became unbearable.
Nonetheless, as she sits and eats, she silently contemplates her plan. Perhaps she should try and help him with his tasks? It seemed that Shadow Milk Cookie had Blueberry Crème as his little assistant... Black Sapphire and Candy Apple helped too- Somehow Sapphire had become and Advisor, which was beyond her knowledge.
The Vanilla Kingdom now operated under the Master of Deceit and former minions, with no one the wiser as to who is running it. The other Ancients refuse to acknowledge her belief that the one in Pure Vanilla’s body is Shadow Milk, and vice versa. How was she supposed to convince Blueberry Crème Cookie he was Pure Vanilla Cookie? How was she supposed to help him if he didn’t know he needed help? She groans before standing and putting her empty plate away.
Striding down the halls, staff in hand, she looks around. She didn’t know Blueberry Crème Cookie's room, and the room she thought Shadow Milk Cookie would be situated in was abandoned, leaving her clueless. She checked the library and the gardens but found nothing. Where were they?
Grumbling to herself, she continues to search. Eventually, Black Sapphire Cookie pops up randomly, falling into step beside the Ancient. “Good morning, White Lily Cookie. What are you going to be doing for your week here?”
White Lily scowls before fidgeting with her shawl. “I’m going to try and spend it with Blueberry Crème Cookie, but I can’t seem to find him, nor Shadow Milk. I haven’t a clue where his room is either,”
“Why didn’t you just ask me? And don’t refer to him as that- It is Pure Vanilla Cookie, now.” Black Sapphire rolls his eyes before taking a path that would lead to Blueberry’s room. White Lily trailed, looking half hopeful and half sorrowful.
“How was I supposed to know where you were as well?” She asks indignantly.
“You could’ve used the diamond I gave you. I’m more surprised you didn’t check in on every week for the past couple months,” He shrugs.
“W-Wha-?! You can’t-! You never told me how to use the gem!” She huffs out, crossing her arms.
“And here I was, thinking you were the curious Ancient of Freedom,” Sapphire snorted before knocking on a door that Lily’s assuming is Blueberry Crème's. Softly murmured voices can be heard inside...?
“I-I am, you brat!” She scowls.
“You remind of Candy Apple Cookie sometimes. More mellow though,”
“That is so rude!”
The door opens a crack, letting a sliver of light fall into the nearly pitch-black room. A single golden eye peeks out in the crack before the door opens semi-fully. Blueberry Crème Cookie stands there, sleepy and rumpled, wearing a baggy shirt that White Lily knows belongs to Pure- Or Shadow Milk, really. His glasses have been discarded, and he looks hazy, like he just woke up. “H... Hi...” He mumbles, rubbing his eyes.
Like a shot to the heart, White Lily must clamp her lips together to stop the cooing that she wants to be making over Blueberry. He was just... Adorable. Yes, Vanilla was almost someone else completely different right now, but that didn’t stop him from looking adorable! The moment was ruined, a moment later, when a very familiar voice sounded from inside the room, also sounding sleep rumpled but not quite as adorable.
“Berry, doll, come back to bed...” Shadow Milk –in Pure Vanilla’s voice- begs from where Lily can assume the bed is. Her eyes narrow sharply before she tsks in disgust.
“Good morning, Blueberry Crème Cookie,” Black Sapphire nods and gives a short bow before stopping. Some routines can’t be changed. “I hope you’ve had a restful night, yes? And you, Mas- Err, Pure Vanilla Cookie?”
“I had a restful night,” Blueberry Crème says with a hint of a smile. “And I’m sure, Pure Vanilla Cookie had a nice one as well.” His gaze flicks to White Lily where a shot of distrust is seen before covered up with curiosity. “And you two?”
White Lily’s eyes narrow at that distrust she spots. Shadow Milk Cookie couldn’t have already poisoned Blueberry’s perspective of her yet, right? “I had a nice night, yes. Sapphire, I’m unsure of.”
“Eh, I was fine.” Sapphire chimes in.
“That’s good, I suppose.” Blueberry nodded. He looked back at Shadow Milk before calling out, “Are you ever going to get up, or stay in my bed?”
Shadow Milk sat up fast, eyes wide and fumbling to pull the covers over his bare chest. “W-Wait- Berry, you didn’t tell me others were here-!” He screeches before pulling the covers over, burying himself in the bed.
Blueberry Crème snorted before looking back at Lily and Sapphire. “We’ll be out soon.”
“I’ll take your word for it...” Sapphire gave a smirk before calling to Shadow Milk, “And, Vanilla, dear, you can always call for me if you’re too sore~” He cackled before slipping away.
White Lily watches with narrowed eyes before quietly asking, “I hope it’s fine if I tag along with you, Blueberry Crème” -His name tasted like ash on her tongue.
“Uh...,” Blueberry looked back at Shadow Milk, who had poked a hand out of his fortress of blankets, beckoning Blueberry to come back. “I’m busy at the moment.”
“...Ah, of course. Perhaps later? I’d love to hear about you,” She finally said, tilting her head.
“Um...” He blinked before muttering nervously, “I guess I’ll be in the library later, then?”
“Alright. I’ll be there.”
🌼~~💛~~🌼
Once the door is closed, Blueberry Crème goes back to the bed, slipping under the covers and lying there for a moment. Pure Vanilla notices this and peeks out before crawling over and lying down, then pulling Blueberry onto his chest. Blueberry Crème chuckles and nestles closer, then sighs.
“Do you want me to kick her out?” Vanilla asks, tracing patterns on Blueberry’s bare neck.
“No- No, no, no! I don’t want to be rude-” Crème bites his lip and looks back at Vanilla who cups his cheek and pulls the other closer. “-but... I don’t want to spend lots of time with a stranger when I could be spending it with you...”
“Aww,” Vanilla presses his lips to Crème's who sighs into the kiss and melts, purring lightly. “You really like being with me, huh?”
“Of course I do, ‘Nilly...” Blueberry pouts and pulls the covers higher. “You saved me after all,”
“I did. And what did that flower cookie do? Nothing! Ugh! She could’ve helped at least!”
Blueberry Crème nodded at that before turning to Pure Vanilla. “We have to get up now, y’know?”
“Ughh, we could just stay in bed all day...” Vanilla grumbles, burying his face in the other’s neck and nuzzling.
“I wish we could, ‘Nilly, but there are cookies who depend on us,”
“I thought I abdicated the throne...” He grumbles.
“I did too, but it seems everyone still needs you, love.”
“Of course they do...”
🌼~~💛~~🌼
Blueberry Crème Cookie got dressed, using clothes Pure Vanilla Cookie had delivered to his room before the once-king left. A teal vest with gold buttons, and pants so navy they looked black- with a coat was a pretty cream color serving as a good way for him to retain warmth.
That was the other thing- Blueberry Crème was always freezing. Perhaps it was because he was a bit on the thin side, or maybe because he never used his legs (just used his magic to float, really), but the temperature always felt chilly to him.
When he was the Fount of Knowledge, he always had heavy, black robes that weighed him down, and rather than floating anywhere he wanted, he glided across the floors then. Now he wore light and airy clothes that rather suited this time, more than his old formal robes.
He glanced over his shoulder, catching Pure Vanilla Cookie watching him, his pupils dilated. Blueberry flushed and flustered, hand fiddling with the ruffles on his sleeves. “Vanilly, you don’t need to stare-”
“I have half a mind to just keep you locked in here with me all day,” Pure Vanilla says, approaching with an inscrutable emotion in his eyes. “But I won’t--”
Blueberry Crème almost asked why not, but kept his lips shut.
“--because we both have important things to do, doll.”
“...You’ll be back tonight, though?”
“Mm-hmm.”
“...Bye... I guess...” As the once-Fount tried to slip out, the king grasped his wrist and pulled him back before pressing a kiss on his lips. “There. Now you can go~”
Blueberry Crème is blushing profusely when he steps out, floating and shuddering. He truly wanted to just follow around his other half like a lost puppy- But that wouldn’t be professional, would it? No... No, it wouldn’t.
Aloft in the air, Blueberry makes his way to the mess hall, hands running through his hair nervously. His attention shifted at once when he glanced outside—Where White Lily Cookie was pacing in the gardens, flora sprouting beneath her feet. The assistant scowled and turned away pointedly, entering the mess hall.
He didn’t notice her staring at his retreating form.
🌼~~💛~~🌼
For one, Shadow Milk Cookie did not like White Lily Cookie. Not when she was attempting to seal away the Beasts almost immediately upon their escape from the original Silver Tree. Not when the little Guardian had tried – and failed – to save Pure Vanilla Cookie from his inevitable fate at the jester’s hands.
He also found himself... Almost enjoying the work of being the Vanilla Kingdom’s almost-but-not-quite-ruler. Which was completely and utterly preposterous! He wasn’t the Fount of Knowledge anymore- Nor the Sage of Truth!
He would not enjoy paperwork. He did not like how it brought him joy to just touch a piece of paper or be around books.
No.
Absolutely not.
Nonetheless, when he got word of Hollyberry Cookie’s letter - Penned quickly from the almost jagged shapes of each letter – he sighed. What was this... Friend, asking him now? He didn’t need any more Ancients here; one was already more than enough.
So. Imagine his surprise when he read that Hollyberry Cookie was not only traveling to his Kingdom, but also with Eternal Sugar Cookie?
🌼~~💛~~🌼
It was afternoon.
White Lily had watched in the morning – She had watched Blueberry Crème Cookie turn away from watching her with a scowl on his face- A scowl. That was it. Shadow Milk, she concluded, must be manipulating him.
Yet another, more rational part of her argued. Blueberry Crème was not Pure Vanilla Cookie and seemed to have no recollection of his time as Pure Vanilla Cookie. So, was it magic? Or a side-effect of being sealed in a makeshift Silver Seal Tree? A method she had no idea about and couldn’t help Blueberry Crème in the least?
One thing was certain: Shadow Milk Cookie was tainting Blueberry Crème's idea of her. She needed to separate them both, and this morning certainly didn’t help. She had no doubt now – both of them were in a relationship.
She scowled at that thought and kicked a clump of grass and dirt, watching it scuttle across the walkway of the garden she paced in. She could do this, couldn’t she? Yes, yes-
“You shouldn’t do that, y’know. You’re killing bugs and disturbing the carefully planted grass that the gardeners have planned.” Came a voice behind her, causing the Ancient to stumble back.
“Pure- No, I mean, Blueberry Crème Cookie,” White Lily puffed out her breath before she turns around and sees the Ancient – Could he really be called that? - but there he was, right behind her, a book clutched against his chest. “Good afternoon.”
“Good afternoon to you as well,” He nods and floats a bit closer, hovering with his magic. “I see you’ve spent most of the day in the gardens,”
“I-I have,” She nods, hands gripping her staff a little tighter. “And you, Blueberry Crème”
“I helped reshelve the fiction section of this castle’s library for the majority of the morning, then I decided to check on some of the plants here.”
“I see,” She hums, glancing back at him. It was so... Jarring, to see this cookie... Someone who believes himself to be someone he’s not, and others playing along with this fantasy. “And... Pure Vanilla Cookie?”
“He’s attending to letters and meetings, as always.” Blueberry huffs out. He floats past her then, instead moving to an area of the garden she hadn’t seen yet. There were Vanilla Orchids that blinked their eyes, Milkcrowns that drooped to the ground, and many more plants she couldn’t name.
“Are these... From Beast-Yeast?” She asks, kneeling to hold the leaf of a particularly overgrown perennial. “They don’t seem like a variety I’ve seen yet.”
“Yes, they are. With my knowledge, it’s quite easy to grow and maintain them.” Blueberry regards her over his shoulder before he opens the book he had and plucks a pencil from an unknown pocket she hadn’t noticed. He float down, towards a patch of Milkcrowns and actually sits on the ground. The book, now she sees, is actually a sketchbook.
Standing up, her knees groan from the pressure. White Lily isn’t a very physically active cookie, but still. As she strides over to Blueberry Crème , she looks over his shoulder, watching him draw. His fluidity captures her attention, and she watches how the Milkcrowns almost come to life on his page.
“You draw?” She pipes up and the once-Fount tilts his head back enough to catch her eye.
“I do. Pure Vanilla encouraged me, and I found I’m very fond of it,”
How unmistakably Pure Vanilla-like. The original Pure Vanilla, at that. But why would Shadow Milk encourage Blueberry Crème Cookie to draw of all things?
“Do you do anything else? Craft wise.” She amended with a small smile.
“Craft wise? I suppose I like to make puppets. Some dolls and plushies,” He looks back at his paper and continues his drawing. “Though I haven’t done those latter two in a while.”
“You haven’t?” She raises and eyebrow.
“No. I was too busy stuck in a tree,” He sighs, his grip on his pencil tightening.
“Blueberry Crème... Do you know why you were sealed? How you were sealed?” White Lily asks.
“Why? I suppose the Witches weren’t quite as delighted as I was with the chaos I wrought all those years ago.”
“...I see,”
The once-Fount stands up now, his foot tapping the ground lightly. “I know there are two Silver Seal Trees. One here, in the Vanilla Kingdom, where I was sealed. And... One in the Silver Kingdom. Your kingdom, if I’m not mistaken?”
“A-Ah, yes. That’s correct.”
“And the others? The Virtues- Ahem, I mean, Beasts? They’re a bit... Foggy.”
“The Beasts?” She hums and tilts her head. “Why do you want to know about them?”
“They are- Were, my friends. They’re... Foggy. I... Don’t really know the Beasts though.”
“...Oh. Well, from what I know, they’re each in their respective domains.”
“...” Blueberry Crème turns away, sliding his pencil back into that pocket of his, and shutting his sketchbook. “Alright, White Lily Cookie.” She winced at the harshness of his voice. “I’ll see you at dinner.”
“W-Wait-”
But he disappears before she could finish.
🌼~~💛~~🌼
Dinner is, as Blueberry Crème Cookie would decide, unnecessarily uncomfortable. Usually, Pure Vanilla Cookie and him would dine together in his room while snuggling, or have a nice, chatty dinner with Blueberry Crème talking about whatever he found or explored in the castle that day.
But, as they had a guest, Pure Vanilla had made sure that they would collectively, Blueberry Crème , Black Sapphire, Candy Apple, and White Lily, would all have dinner as a group.
And boy, it was awkward.
Pure Vanilla sat at the head of the table, with White Lily Cookie at the other end. Candy Apple Cookie sat on one side of the Ancient of Freedom, with Blueberry Crème sitting to the right of Pure Vanilla, and Black Sapphire on his left, Candy Apple to his right. There was an empty seat between Blueberry and White Lily, but that was fine.
Candy Apple Cookie and Black Sapphire were bickering quietly to themselves while Pure Vanilla and White Lily seemed to be in a staring contest. Blueberry Crème had silently been cutting his food- Meat jellies along with salad jellies, and juice in a glass. He’d found after trying berry juice that he was a hopelessly clingy drunk, and one that would sob nonstop. About what, he didn’t know. So, he kept to normal juice. No alcohol.
Then, of course, the quiet was shattered by a single word:
“Bitch.”
“Wh- Me?!” White Lily splutters, hand slamming on the table as she stands. “I’m a bitch!?”
“Yes,” Pure Vanilla brings his fork to his mouth, chewing his sliced meat jelly. “I cannot think of a better word to describe you.”
“But you-! You’re indulging in this! You are orchestrating this!”
“And? I’m fine with it.” Pure Vanilla smiles, its not one of his warm ones. This one is meant to hurt. Blueberry Crème just sighs and sips his juice before continuing eating.
“You... You took him out-”
“Shush. Not with him present.”
“He has a right to know!”
“Does he?” The healer’s smile turns venomous before he glances at Black Sapphire who stands immediately, at attention. The advisor hurries over and places his hands over Blueberry Crème's pointed ears. In all honesty, the once-Fount is quite used to this. Pure Vanilla had told him there might be some... Sensitive topics that could come up, and he might react... In a harsh way. So, he was used to someone placing their hands over his ears so that he might be protected.
Honestly, he could do it himself. But he supposes that Pure Vanilla wanted to be thorough, should Blueberry try to listen in. He hums before continuing to eat his meal. Occasionally, he looks up to see both Ancients arguing now, more harshly. Candy Apple is eating her own meal before she sees Blueberry watching her. She waves a hand and grins.
Blueberry Crème tilts his head back enough to watch Black Sapphire scowling at his little sister. He snorts before setting his fork down and he motions to the advisor and Candy Apple, sending a silent message.
Want to leave?
Candy Apple grins and hops off her chair, leaving her plate of food behind, Black Sapphire sighs and moves with Blueberry Crème , hands still over his ears, and they leave the Ancients to argue.
As soon as the door closes, Black Sapphire pulls back his hands, sighing again. “I knew they would argue, I just didn’t expect profanity to be the first thing.”
“It was soooooo fun!” Candy Apple giggles, clapping her hands and twirling. “I mean, Pure Vanilla reaaaaaaally let himself loose with Ms. Freedom! Eheh~”
“Of course he did, that idiot could get into an argument with anyone.” Sapphire mutters, wiping his hands off before he places them behind his back.
“I would expect no less. And yet I still don’t understand what he speaks of, half the time...” Blueberry Crème presses his lips together, before all the tension leaves his body. He looks up and smirks a little. “Who wants to go sneak some sweets from the kitchens?”
“OOOH! OOOH! ME! ME!” Candy Apple squeals, latching onto the once-Fount's arm tightly.
“Why not?” Black Sapphire straightens his suit and nods. “I suppose I’ve gone from radio show host, to advisor, to thief. How far I’ve fallen.”
🌼~~💛~~🌼
As Shadow Milk storms out of the dining room, he finally realizes his mistake. He whips back around and shoves the doors open, his gaze darting around. He sees White Lily, still with tears in her eyes as she stands shakily, though he doesn’t really care about that.
Black Sapphire, Candy Apple, and Blueberry Crème Cookie were all gone. “Witches damnit,” He growls. “Where did they go?”
“What?” Lily hiccups, rubbing her eyes as she looks around.
“Nope,” Shadow Milk snarls, and he leaves again, then starts a sprint to Blueberry Crème's room. “They better all be fine...”
As he runs down the halls, he sees that night has fell, and the moon is shining brightly down on the kingdom. He doesn’t care much for the scenery, but he does stop and makes sure the Silver Tree is untouched – it is – and he continues his search.
He knocks twice on Blueberry Crème's door before opening it, looking around wildly for the object of his desire and worry.
He sighs as he hears soft snoring and finally looking at his beloved’s bed, where his two former minions and Blueberry Crème Cookie all lay in a sprawl, with powdered sugar dusting their cheeks.
Shadow Milk sighs before he steps closer, and brushes sugar off Crème's blue cheek. He leans down and presses a kiss to the other’s brow, and the once-Fount's eyes flutter open. He smiles before saying, “Hello,”
“Hello, doll. I see you got into the sweets?” Shadow Milk smiles back.
“Mm-hmm...”
“Will you help me take them to their own beds?”
“Alright...” Blueberry Crème stands up and brushes off powdered sugar from his clothing. “I’ll need more clothes tomorrow...”
“Yes, love. I’ll get you something.” Shadow Milk says as he lifts up Candy Apple, cradling her to his chest. “Sapphie’s a little heavier. You can use your magic for it.”
And off the two went, carrying the once-minions to their beds.
🌼~~💛~~🌼
The next several days go by the same way- Blueberry Crème Cookie avoiding White Lily Cookie as much as he can, new outfits, and Pure Vanilla Cookie organizing a dinner for all five cookies once again.
Though, on the sixth day, Blueberry Crème is startled to hear that a dirigible has touched down here, in the Vanilla Kingdom. Upon listening to the gossip of the servants and hearing them chatter for a while more, he rushes to Pure Vanilla Cookie.
He wonders who these guests are.
🌼~~💛~~🌼
Shadow Milk grits his teeth as he makes pleasantries with Hollyberry Cookie. He doesn’t want to, Witches no, but he must. He needs to keep up this little charade, needs to seem like he’s the kind and benevolent ruler he’s pretending to be.
Eternal Sugar Cookie seems fine as ever, her wings puffed up as she yawns, floating on a cotton candy cloud as she follows Hollyberry Cookie. “Is that Blue I see~?” She coos, smiling as she moves a little closer to poke Shadow Milk. He swats her away as he finishes his previous sentence to Hollyberry.
“-And, yes, you may stay for as long as you’d like, my friend.”
“Ahah! Thank you, Pure Vanilla! You’re a real lifesaver, y’know? I thought it’d be best to see you. You seemed to have thought our Beasts were suited for redemptions, before... Well, everything with your own Beast! But Eternal Sugar and I seemed to have come to a good compromise!”
“Of course, Darling~ I’d do anything for you~”
“Ah, I see.” Shadow Milk smiles and then waves behind him to the castle. “The Raisin villagers have been working very diligently on repairing the castle, so please, we’d be happy to host you. I also have someone special for you to meet.”
“Oh?” Hollyberry grins and lays a hand on Shadow Milk’s shoulder. He silently seethes while Eternal Sugar giggles like a young schoolgirl. “I’ll be happy to meet them, then!”
“Ah, yes, one last thing.” He tilts his head. “I do have a... Guest, here currently. It’s-”
“Hollyberry Cookie...?” Comes White Lily’s voice from behind Shadow Milk. He curses her arrival, and his eye twitches.
“White Lily Cookie?!” Hollyberry rushes to meet White Lily in the middle as she hugs the smaller Ancient tightly. “I thought you said-”
“I know. I’m returning my kingdom tomorrow, Hollyberry.” White Lily says softly, awkwardly patting the other’s back in a sort of comforting touch. “Something... Arose, and I found it imperative to visit the – the Vanilla Kingdom.”
“I see!” Hollyberry pulls back with a laugh, hands on her hips. “Ah! I have someone I brought-”
“Hm~? Darling, whoever is this~?” Eternal Sugar says, poking her head out from behind the passionate Ancient, her sickeningly pink curls falling on Hollyberry.
“Is- is that a-” White Lily stutters, eyes wide.
“A Beast?” Shadow Milk pipes in, standing on Hollyberry’s other side. “Yes, White Lily Cookie.” He flashes her a signature “Pure Vanilla smile” and looks back at the castle. “And what a nice reunion this will be.”
🌼~~💛~~🌼
Blueberry Crème Cookie had been shelving books in the library, humming quietly to himself and going over the gossip he heard earlier. Something probably involving guests? But then Pure Vanilla would have told him, right? But he had been busy with White Lily more often than late-?
“Blueberry Creeeeeeeeeeme!!!” Calls a screeching voice he can easily recognize as Candy Apple Cookie. The once-minion in question comes barreling into the library, panting and red cheeked before launching herself at the once-Fount.
“W-Woah-” Blueberry uses his magic to set down his books on the shelves and catches Candy Apple at the same time. “Candy-?”
“NO! DON’T LISTEN TO WHAT THOSE HORRIBLE LADIES ARE SAYING-!” She’s blabbering loudly before wrapping her arms around his neck and holding tightly. “THEY’RE SO MEAN AND TELLING LIES-!”
“My dear, are you not a liar yourself?” Blueberry laughs softly and ruffles the girl’s hair gently. “What are you speaking of?”
“IT’S ETERNAL-”
“Eternal Sugar Cookie?” Comes a voice from the hallway before – well, Blueberry Crème can’t say he’s ever met her, but nonetheless. “Sugar, where did you wander off to?”
“Who - Who’s that?” Blueberry Crème whispers to Candy Apple and floats to the doorway to peak out. From what he can see in the crack of the doorway, a pink haired cookie with a shield is looking and peeking into rooms. When she turns to the library, Crème stumbles back, holding Candy Apple tighter.
He doesn’t know her, does he? No, no. He doesn’t. She’s unfamiliar. Then why the nostalgia? But – But that name she was calling out earlier, Eternal Sugar? That sounds a bit more familiar, yes?
“IT’S HOLLYBERRY COOKIE.” Candy Apple whispers loudly as the door is pushed open and – Hollyberry Cookie – peeks into the library looking around quizzically.
“Eternal Sugar- Oh, sorry.” Hollyberry smiles before waving. “Ah, Apple Faerie Cookie! I remember you from the Silver Kingdom. Wow, I’m meeting so many cookies from Beast-Yeast today!” She gives a hearty laugh. “You haven’t seen Eternal Sugar Cookie, have you?”
“Eternal... Sugar Cookie?” Blueberry Crème squeaks out, pressing against one of the bookshelves as Candy Apple holds onto him with a death grip. “I-”
“Daaaaaarling~ Hollyberry Cookie~ Where did you go~?” Comes a sweet, lilting voice from above. A pink cookie, sickeningly pink actually, drifts down from above on feathered wings with a saccharine smile. Coming from above? Oh, she floated down, so that must mean she has magic?
A memory flashes through his mind, and he startles, almost dropping Candy Apple in the process. It was a while ago, but during his time as the Fount – And the Sage of Truth, wasn’t there... Wait...? No... Maybe he didn’t know this cookie.
“Who... Who are you?” He mumbles, looking between the two newcomers with large eyes. Candy Apple huffs and detaches herself from his neck; brushing herself off. He hadn’t even realized it, but she’d most likely used one of her disguises that she had told him about.
Disguises that were to be used when in the presence of those who would harm them if need be. Remembering that little detail, he straightens. If these two caused her to use a disguise, then that must mean they’re dangerous, right?
“Hey! Be quiet, it’s a library!” Candy Apple stomps her foot indignantly, ironically being the loudest here. “Blueberry Crème ,” The young girl grits out. “This is... Hollyberry Cookie and Eternal Sugar Cookie.”
“I-I see,” He nods and readjusts his glasses with shaky hands. “A-And why, may I ask are you here?”
“Oh... look at how much you’ve changed, Blue~!” Eternal Sugar giggles and claps her hands together, coming to lay on a cloud of cotton candy that she’d created. “Oh, you’ve changed his body so much~”
“Blue? Do... Ah, do I know you?” Blueberry Crème asks tentatively.
“Yes, yes I do, Sha-”
“Ah, there you all are!” Pure Vanilla’s voice comes as he pushes open the doors to the library, following by Black Sapphire and a seething White Lily Cookie. The former just looks around with boredom while the latter looks angry. “Oh, Blueberry Crème Hello, love.”
Blueberry flushes at the pet name and chuckles, “H-Hello, ‘Nilly.”
“’Nilly’?” Hollyberry asks questioningly. The Ancient looks between Pure Vanilla and Eternal Sugar before her gaze settles on Blueberry. “I thought Shadow Milk only called him that-?”
“Yes, yes. I believe many explanations are needed, mm-hmm?” Pure Vanilla asks with a smile, coming to Blueberry Crème's side and clenching his hand tightly. “I assume Apple Faerie Cookie filled you in, yes?”
“Y-Yes she did, but why are they-”
“A visit, my dear.”
“...Ah.” The once-Fount nods. “But... Apple Faerie Cookie?” He looks at the former minion with worry. “Doesn’t that mean-”
“Yes, doll.” Vanilla taps the other’s nose. “But we’ll talk about that later, alright? We have guests after all!” He turns to the guests in question and smiles. “Now, its noon, and I’m sure that we’re all starving?” He nods to the gardens. “Why don’t we have a lunch together? Wouldn’t it be so nice to catch up... Friends?” There’s a devious look in the healer’s eyes. Then, its gone. Perhaps Blueberry was hallucinating.
🌼~~💛~~🌼
The lunch is awkward, to say the least. With a large round table and plates of food for each, everyone seems squished. There were, after all, six cookies all sitting around looking at each other with varying hostility.
Those few were, in fact, Pure Vanilla and White Lily, and Pure Vanilla and Eternal Sugar. It seemed like they were all almost talking telepathically with the glares they were sending each way. The small peace pact that was made, the silence that reigned after Hollyberry Cookie had fruitlessly tried to engage in conversation with anyone who was willing to indulge her – that silence was broken when White Lily slammed her hands on the table, looking furious.
“Are we not going to address the elephant in the room?!” She all but snarls, hands clenching the wood of the table even tighter.
“Elephant? Oh, what elephant~?” Eternal Sugar coos, smiling sweetly. She had requested – and Pure Vanilla had agreed – that she just wanted a glass of wine. So, she swirled it in her glass, grinning. “If we’re talking about him then I must say, he’s quite handsome now~”
“Sweet Sapphire Faerie,” Pure Vanilla nods to Black Sapphire who stands immediately and covers Crème's pointed ears. He knew the routine by now and continues picking at his food. He looks up occasionally to see White Lily and Pure Vanilla going at it, while Eternal Sugar watches lazily, and Hollyberry looks quite shocked.
It must be some sort of secret-sensitive thing then.
Oh well.
🌼~~💛~~🌼
“And you’re telling me you told her?!” White Lily all but screeches, waving a violent hand to the Beast of Sloth who waves a lazy hand back. “You told the Beast of Sloth and not him!?”
“I have my reasons,” Shadow Milk smirks. “I was bored when I was obtaining his body, so I thought, ‘Why not chat with some friends’?” He giggles, nodding to Eternal Sugar. “She listened, albeit half-asleep, but it was nice to fill her in. Couldn’t have my sleepy little Beast confusing ‘Nilly for me!”
“...? What are you all-?” Hollyberry tries to chime in, but the arguing two cookies’ voices rise above. She casts a curious glance to the cookie she knows as Blueberry Crème and a tap on her shoulder makes her turn. Eternal Sugar smiles.
“Oh~ Have you been kept out of the loop~?”
“Ah- Eternal Sugar,” Hollyberry chuckles softly, nervously. “I suppose I have. I mean, I remember the... Incident from a couple months ago. But I thought since White Lily was visiting, it’d been resolved...?”
“Oh, dearest~ Would you like me to tell you a little story~?”
“It’s not really the time for one-”
“I’m going to explain to you, dearest~”
“Oh. Yes please, then.”
🌼~~💛~~🌼
Candy Apple tapped his shoulder twice, and he looked up from his picked plate. Hands were still firmly clamped around his ears, and he was surprised to feel it. She nods to Black Sapphire, and he makes a gesture to her. The trio all gets up as one and leaves the loud room.
Once he can hear again, Blueberry Crème sighs. “Would you like to repeat our routine?” Candy Apple nods vigorously and Black Sapphire shrugs a sigh.
“Can we try to get croquets?!” Candy Apple squeals, holding on to his arm. Blueberry just laughs and nods.
For the past week, the dinners which they all attended always ended with Pure Vanilla and White Lily arguing about something he couldn’t hear. He had accepted his place, yes, but he thought... Well, he thought Pure Vanilla would’ve trusted him enough by now.
Supposedly not enough, it seems.
So, when arguments would ensue, the trio would all leave and steal snacks from the kitchens. Sweets, drinks, everything they wanted but wouldn’t be able to enjoy if they were sitting while two cookies were arguing oh-so loudly.
And thus, another night of arguments, another night of stealing sweets.
At least this will be the last night, right? White Lily Cookie was leaving tomorrow, and they could all go back to normal...
That would be great.
🌼~~💛~~🌼
Hollyberry drags a hand through her face, sighing and shaking her head. “So... Blueberry Crème Cookie is Pure Vanilla Cookie? And he” She gestures to Shadow Milk who scowls. “is Shadow Milk Cookie? The actual one?”
“Yes, dear~” Eternal Sugar giggles and leans her head on her beloved’s shoulder, pink curls cascading over the queen’s dress. “Aaaand, the little Lily was speaking the truth the whole time~”
“This is true?” Hollyberry asks the two who sat across from each other, glaring daggers. She had recently intervened before they started fist-fighting. She had separated the two like the squabbling children they were, making them sit so they faced her. She felt like a mother again.
“Of course it is! As I’ve been saying for months-” White Lily pipes in, but Shadow Milk scoffs, cutting her off.
“Jeez, I really didn’t know you’d all fall so easily!” he laughs, and Hollyberry feels a twisting in her gut, because she’s never heard Pure Vanilla’s voice sound so, so harsh. Or the maniacal laugh.
“Nor did I think you’d be a snitch,” he sniffs, glaring at Eternal Sugar. “When I told you my story at the Laboratorium, I didn’t think you’d tell anyone, and you weren’t supposed to! Obviously!”
“Look at you groaning,” Sugar grins deviously. “Oh, how I’ve waited to hear tha from you~ Payback is oh-so nice.”
“Payback?! What did I ever do to you?!”
“Hm... Let’s see... Made a Cookie looking for my Garden fall off a cliff in pursuit of it... Set my Garden aflame... Turned my Sugar Angels into jesters and make them jump over those hot coals... I could go on.”
“You-... Actually, those are great reasons.” Shadow Milk grumbles. “But this was important, Sweets! You know me,” He rolls his eyes. “When stuff is this important, you’re not supposed to intervene! Imagine my surprise when I found out you’d be visiting!”
“Revenge is so sweet~” Sugar yawns and lays back on her cloud. She hadn’t used a chair, pushing to be able to summon her cloud to relax on.
Shadow Milk stands up and so does White Lily.
“What do you mean, ‘Laboratorium’?”
🌼~~💛~~🌼
Blueberry Crème gently lays down Candy Apple Cookie in her bed. Black Sapphire had excused himself to return to his own room and rest for the night. That left Crème to go to his room alone and get ready for the night, bathing, dressing, laying and reading.
Pure Vanilla didn’t come that night.
🌼~~💛~~🌼
“So...” Shadow Milk purrs and grins. “Now, what’s going to happen?”
“We search for a way to fix Pure Vanilla – Blueberry Crème I mean,” White Lily says, huffing. Hollyberry stands next to her while Eternal Sugar snores on her cloud, asleep.
“I don’t think he’d like that~” Shadow Milk giggles and pulls against the ropes that tie his hands together, grinning a cheshire smile. “I mean, after all, Blue Vanilla had wanted this~”
“He-He what?” White Lily startles, hands tightening on her staff. “You’re - You’re lying.”
“Me? Lie? In this body? Hah!”
“So... What...?” Hollyberry asks, tilting her head as her pink hair bobs in the twilight.
“He wanted this! Said that it’d be great if he just forgot aaaaaaaaaall about this little incident!”
“He... No, he wouldn’t...” White Lily tries and fails to summon a reason for why Blue Vanilla would ever want that. He... His time in the Spire of Deceit had messed with him, yes? He’d thought himself to be Shadow Milk, even for the briefest amount of time!
But... Blue Vanilla had... He’d seemed stressed when he’d been away from the Spire? A-And from what she had gotten from Shadow Milk, the body he inhabited now – Blueberry Crème Cookie – was made by Dark Enchantress Cookie, so doesn’t that mean that there would be no residual memories...
No – No, there must be a way for them to get the actual Pure Vanilla Cookie back! Not Blueberry Crème , not Blue Vanilla... No. There must be!
Shadow Milk’s eyes soften, almost imperceptibly. “Have you ever thought he’s happier like this?”
“But - But he’s not! He doesn’t know who he is, and you’re - you’re manipulating him! Y-You must be forcing him-”
“You’ve been here for seven days now. Does he seem stressed? Burdened? Tired?”
“W-Well, no, but-”
“Then it’s exactly what he needs. His whole life, he’s been burdened with taking care of everyone else, of helping Kingdoms, defeating enemies. He. Needs. This.”
“But-”
“White Lily Cookie,” Hollyberry says quietly. She rests a hand on the Ancient of Freedom’s shoulder, turning the other to look at her. “Vanilla... He... I’m not trying to sound harsh, or evil either... But... We know him. He’s always had something on his mind, not a moment to rest.”
“But it’s not him!” Lily snaps, drawing back. She refuses the realization.
“...I’ve known him for only a couple hours, but... Blueberry Crème is him. In his own way. They’re two separate entities, but very similar. I can see Pure Vanilla in Crème , and a bit of... Who was it, the Fount of Knowledge? In him as well. I don’t know the Fount, but from the tales I’ve found...” Hollyberry smiles sadly.
“Maybe we should leave this.”
“But- But the other Ancients need to know!”
“They will. We’ll tell them and all come to a conclusion.” Hollyberry turns to Shadow Milk who smirks in his chair. “Do you think the other Beasts would want to put their two cents?”
“Perhaps. Maybe not! Who knows, we all change our minds soooooo often!”
“Alright. Then we’ll have a meeting, soon. Do we all agree on that?” Hollyberry asks, both the Beast masquerading as an Ancient and the Ancient of Freedom.
“Fine,” Lily’s nostrils flare.
“Sounds good to me! Though I don’t think Salty will come...” Shadow Milk mutters. “Oh, can I be free now? I promised a certain someone I’d visit him tonight~”
“Oh. That as well.” Hollyberry chuckles nervously, rubbing the back of her neck. “You’re not... Forcing him, no?”
“What? No!” Shadow Milk shakes his head furiously. “Though, I’m pretty sure the first words he said when he came out of the seal was “Pretty man”, so, I don’t know. But it’s genuine! I swear on my Soul Jam!”
“I see...” Hollyberry Cookie nods. “I suppose we can let you go then.”
“Good! And get out of my Kingdom! But I’ll see you at the meeting~”
🌼~~💛~~🌼
Maybe that previous sentiment was a lie.
But Blueberry Crème was a bit of a liar after all.
Especially when he felt warm arms envelope him.
He really loves Pure Vanilla Cookie.
🌼~~💛~~🌼
