Chapter Text
Dark Cacao ran to his dorm room to get his things properly in place.
One satchel should be enough for food…Yes, it will be especially with his plan to travel up the mountains safely.
He would meet with the wondering Milk tribe halfway, stock up there, and continue to travel until he found the structure he needed to find.
So, with a look of determination on his face, he ran towards the train station.
No, the train wouldn’t get him on the mountains. But it would get him near them enough so he could take it from there.
Before leaving he got on his knees and prayed to his mother, wishing for a safe journey. When he was done he got up and ran out of his dorm room.
He ran to the station, it was quite the run but Dark Cacao had practice so he was pretty good, maybe he should to Track...
He arrived just in time because the train was about to leave in a few minutes. He said hello to the driver and went to his usual seat.
Cacao sighed, This was going to be a long ride… so he held onto his satchel and closed his eyes.
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Cacao had a dream. Well, more like a message.
He saw his mother standing tall, as well as covered in snow in the raging wind. Her short hair was in her usual side style. Her skin was a pale blue but it was normal. She had her blue robe on with long sleeves, don’t worry it was made for cold weather. Though she was blurred by the snow he saw his mother smiling.
“Safe travels, my little snowflake, I’ll be waiting patiently. Perhaps I’ll even have a coffee prepared for you.” His mother said. Her voice was drowned out by the wind but Dark Cacao could hear her well. So he smiled.
“Thank you, Mother. I assure you that I shall get there without bleeding.” He promised.
“I have faith in you, My child.” She said as her image got swept away.
Cacao’s eyes fluttered open. He was ironically at his stop. He got up and got off the train. With a loud whistle, the train drove away. Now Cacao was alone.
Well, what’s new? Anyway, Cacao started to run towards the base of the mountains. Coldness Immediately struck him as he started to follow an uneven path of worn-out rocks.
The Milk tribe would be miles away so he has a lot of walking to do.
After walking for hours in the cold he finally heard people talking and metal clicking. Hearing something like that other than the harsh wind and mumbling to yourself is quite the relief.
Cacao started to pick up his speed and eventually he saw the tents and people of the Milk tribe. He sighed in relief once more.
One of the tribe elders saw Dark Cacao approaching and he rushed towards him.
“Ah, Dark Cacao! Or should I say, Damian?” The elder chuckled in his raspy voice.
Cacao or ‘Damian’ in the Milk tribe, was happy to see the old man but he was looking for someone else. Still, he had to be polite, just like how his mother taught him.
“ Yes, I’m here, Elder Darius, I’m ever so pleased to see you once again.” Cacao said in respect. “ I’m looking for Elder Soy, do you know we she could be?” He questioned.
Elder Darius smiled “Yes I do, She’s in the large tent near the Well.” He gestured towards a Large well “ She’s thinking about traveling once again, But this area is perfect for us!” He complained.
“Oh, I see, Well I hope you stay here.” Dark Cacao didn’t want to talk for any longer “ I’ll be on my way.” Cacao said as he sped walked to the tent.
Cacao would’ve knocked but how can you knock on a tent? “ Elder Soy? Are you in there?” Cacao said.
“ Yes, I am. You can enter. “ A voice said from inside. Cacao stepped Inside and as soon as he did he was engulfed in a hug.
“Damian! Oh, what a pleasure to have you here once more! Do you need food? I have you covered, My boy!” The wind blew harder and the air became colder.
Dark Cacao quickly said his answer “Oh do indeed need food but I also need to send out a letter. Do you have a bird to deliver it?” He said.
Soy thought for a moment “ Mmm yes I do, Damian, however it might not make it due to the raging weather.” She said slowly “I wouldn’t risk it, Damian.”
Cacao was disappointed. He was going to send a letter to his friends at the Academy, He didn’t want them to worry about him.
“That’s fine, I suppose, I just wanted to send a letter to my friends back at my school.” He sighed.
Soy had a sympathetic smile on “I’m sorry, Damian.” She paused but then continued ”But no matter, let’s get you stocked up on food and you can carry on with your journey!” Cacao nodded and followed Soy through the village.
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Cacao said one last goodbye to Soy and the rest of the tribe and he continued to follow a makeshift path.
He wasn’t far now, Just another hour or so, at this pace and he would see his destination.
Cacao was walking for about 30 minutes. With every minute passing by the air became colder on the mountain the snow was sticking onto his hair and his lashes as he carefully blinked them off.
He tried not to get too many snowflakes on his lashes as that would block his vision.
Cacao felt something slippery under his feet. It was ice. With every step he took the ice grew under his shoe. He smiled, He was finally home.
In the distance, Cacao could see the small, but well-designed and decorated house. He ran to it, he couldn’t wait to see his mother.
When he reached the door he took a deep breath and opened it. Inside he saw his mother, She was staring out the window but when he came in she smiled and walked to him. Cacao did the same.
“My little snowflake, I’ve been waiting for you.” She said as she gave him a cold but warm embrace. “ Come sit down while we talk, I’ve made a coffee just for you.” She said as she sat down at a small table made for two
“Of course, Mother.” Dark Cacao said with a smile. His mother gave him a mug of cold coffee. He took a sip, A perfect blend of bitter and cold, not a grain of sugar mixed in as the sugar pains his throat. Taking a sip made him feel warm and happy to be home.
His mother started to talk “ Cacao, Have you’ve been practicing your magic? I know it’s hard but I want you to try, My dear.”
“ Yes, Mother, I have. But without you teaching me it’s getting harder too.” Dark Cacao said honestly.
His mother sighed “I see, But you need to practice it at least a little. It may seem useless but I promise you It will come in handy.” His Mother said with slight annoyance after repeating time and time again.
“I understand, Mother, but without you, I don’t know what’s right and it’s just harder.” dark cacao said with frustration. He wanted to learn and get better, he really did but without his mother to guide him, it was a challenge indeed.
His mother simply sipped on her cold drink. “Well, then you find someone to help you with your magic.”
Dark Cacao choked on his coffee “ Have someone teach me?! Mother, you said none can know about my magic or that will give away my parentage!” Cacao didn’t like to raise his voice at his Mother but this idea was obscured.
His mother just shook her head “tsk tsk, You need someone to teach you how to control it better. End of story. I’ll teach you while you’re still here, But think about who you are going to trust.” His mother said.
Cacao knew she was right, she always was, but who should he trust? Definitely someone from his friend group.
Hollyberry and Golden cheese didn’t study magic so they’re off the list.
Pure Vanilla was a good person in hindsight but he studied healing magic and it’s much different from the ice magic Cacao possessed.
That leaves White Lily, She studies magic. Not not healing or the type that Dark Cacao had but it was similar enough… She was quiet and introverted so she wouldn’t spoil his secret.
“I know someone, Mother” Dark Cacao whispered. Drinking his coffee.
“Mhm, very well they’ll teach you how to utilize your magic better.” She stopped and then added, “I know this makes you seem weak but I just want the best for you, My child.” She said with sympathy.
Dark cacao nodded. He understood but it still hurt.
His mother noticed his face and her features visibly softened. “How about I do your hair? It would always cheer you up when you were younger.” Cacao remembered those times. He smiled shyly and nodded his head.
His mother smiled at his mood change “Head over to the couch, But clean up the mess of coffee first.” She eyed the coffee that was spilled on the table.
“Oh, of course, Mother!” Dark Cacao blushed in embarrassment.
After he was done he went over to the couch. His mother did his hair in a half up and half down style, she fixed his hair that covered his face. For some reason, Cacao liked it when someone did his hair. It was relaxing you could say.
Dark Cacao looked at himself in a handheld mirror. “Thank you, Mother,” he said happily.
“Have no worries, My Snowflake. Now let’s practice your magic” His mother said as she got up and stepped into another room.
Cacao took a deep breath “Yes, Mother.”
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After hours of practicing Dark Cacao was worn out. Magic takes a lot of energy.
Now Cacao was laying down on his bed staring at the details on the ceiling.
He kept thinking about how he would get Lily to ‘teach’ him magic.
He could lie and say he was interested in that kind of stuff and wanted to learn, that seemed like a good idea…
He groaned as he rolled over in bed. A good nap is needed at this moment, Dinner was in a few hours so he could take a nap.
He closed his eyes and thought about the calming snow.