Chapter Text
Another day, another failure.
Licorice could feel the cold beads of sweat drip down his nape, could feel the wavering thuds of his heartbeat against his chest, could feel the nausea stirring in his stomach. He could feel every loose thread of his cloak, every thorn and twig that had gripped at the fabric, the mud dried on his nose, the scratches ground indents onto his scythe. It was a familiar feeling, at least, feeling dwarfed at the gates of the dark castle, its cobblestone worn and the skeleton of grand halls empty save for the fellow cookies wandering about for Dark Enchantress’s biddings. It was a familiar feeling, back from the academy, back for the castle, the sting of eyes and disappointment and failure. He gnawed at his lip, tasting dirt until it met iron, and then took a deep breath. No point in delaying, it was routine for him to fail. Dark Enchantress would be disappointed, but she’d be glad to see him, yes? To have him home, useless as he was.
...He was useless, wasn’t he? He might as well have died in that forest, behind the academy, choking on the rumpled strings of magic and energy fraught with despair-
Batcat landed on his shoulder, giving a silent nuzzle against Licorice’s wet check, then nipping at Licorice’s locks, pulling him gently back to the present moment. Another shaky breath. Hopefully he wouldn’t have to see Pomegranate.
He pushed the door open, wincing as it creaked on its old hinges. Dust hung in the pale sunlight that streamed through the skeletons of window frames, its glass broken. The stone was scuffed, and Licorice made sure to step carefully over an uneven tile so his cloak wouldn’t catch. They had never really cleaned this main room up-- only ever tidying whatever corner of the castle they preferred to reside in--Poison Mushroom had his little mossy worn nook by the back forest, and Licorice was partial to the basement chambers, well stocked with alchemy ingredients, circles and practice area for summoning his licorice servants. He didn’t know exactly where Dark Choco or Pomegranate sulked in their spare time, but they had left the old king’s chambers for Master- Dark Enchantress - with the proceeding room as a meeting hall for reports and meetings.
He caught the glimmer of ruby feathers, and the noise of feathers. Damn, one of Pomegranate’s ruby finches. Shit. Damn bird. He let out a scoff, and hastened to the chamberroom-- he would be damned if Pomegranate bitched about him to Dark Enchantress and he got in more trouble than he was already in-- sure, he was a shitty left hand, but he was still Dark Enchantress’s left, wasn’t he? Fuck, but he did a pretty piss-poor job of it. Whatever. It would be fine. He was shit, Pomegranate would be a bitch, he would get told off and a bit pushed around, but it would be fine. Rinse and repeat, fuck up, have Pomegranate tattle-tale to Master, rinse and repeat. He would be fine. He would be.
“Poison Mushroom, what is the meaning of this?”
Licorice’s breath stuttered. Shit-- he thought Mushroom would still be out with that weird forest cookie. Licorice urged his legs toward, though they wobbled with every step. Her voice was rising.
“Oh? Licorice,” she spoke, voice sweet but cold. “How kind of you to join us.”
By her right sat Pomegranate, her mouth-- the beginnings of a smirk, no doubt-- hidden behind a silken sleeve. And before Dark Enchantress, Poison Mushroom, his cap in his arms and head bowed. Damn, the kid looked so small. Licorice took his place, and gently nudged Mushroom behind him as he took his place before Dark Enchantress. The silence was deafening.
“Well, then? Licorice, report on the mission with Poison Mushroom.”
“W-well-” Damn, he was nervous. A gulp, “We successfully infiltrated the area nearby the new kingdom. We came to the forest by the east perimeter, and Mushroom spread his spores around the area.”
“Uhm, but, uh- we, uh, there was this cookie, and they, uh-”
“Do speak up, Licorice.”
“Uh- they seemed to notice us, and, uhm, dissuaded another from eating or inhaling the mushrooms of spores.” He breathed shakely, his palm, gently pushing into Poison Mushroom, was clammy and gross. Poor kid, having to deal with his gross hands. Silence fell, Mushroom fidgeting with his cap, Licorice’s eyes unfocused on the sight of Dark Enchantress all the way from the crest of the room, staring him down with the same intensity of judgement-- of failure-
“So, despite your efforts, you and Poison Mushroom were found.”
“Yes, Dark Enchantress.”
“And not only where you found, but another realized the mushrooms were poisonous-”
“Ah-” Dark Enchantress halted, eyes hard on his. Fuck, his palms where sweating a waterfall. Well, no backing out now. “N-not exactly, but they did dissuade another from eating them-”
“So?” It was sharp, fuck, fuck, he fucked up. “It is the same in effect. Do not distract from your outcome, Licorice cookie. Look up at me.”
Licorice trembled, and he was sure he forgot how to breathe.
“Look up at me!”
He did, and her eyes smoldered, the wrinkles on her face contorted in rage, her lips pulled into dissatisfaction. He felt her rage, her hatred, and Licorice blinked back the glassiness in his eyes and prayed she wouldn’t see. Despite the distance, her gaze was hard to hold-- he was afraid. His breath caught, he was afraid, but he couldn’t--wouldn’t dare-- look away.
She spoke, loud, rageful. “So you failed, Licorice, and you as well, Poison Mushroom.”
Mushroom? What did she-
“Pomegranate, please leave the room. Attend to your duties.”
No, no, no, shit-
Licorice swept a look to the side as Pomegranate passed, and her face was flat, with only a glimmer of amusement in her eyes. Sadistic bitch-
“Poison Mushroom, it is ungraceful to hide behind your peers.”
Peers? God, Mushroom was a fucking kid-
“Please- Dark Enchantress, I beg you, please. Poison Mushroom was only following my orders, my lead. This was my mission, and I failed. Mushroom did nothing wrong, please, don’t-”
A flash of darkness whipped at Poison Mushroom’s legs, and the child let out a cry, falling back.
Licorice stood his ground, though he ached to hold the kid. He caught her eye, again, and she spoke. “Very well. This is a kindness, Licorice. Do not forget that.” She turned her gaze to Mushroom, still shock-still on the old stone tile. “Poison Mushroom, you are dismissed.” A beat of silence passed, and Licorice nudged them with his foot, prompting the kid to run off, out the door. Thank god, Licorice caught himself thinking.
He turned back to Dark Enchantress, her face dark. Shit.
He breathed another shaky breath, and kneeled, laying down his scythe.
She stepped forward, and only her steps echoed though the chamber, though Licorice could hear his own ragged, scared breaths. She stopped until she was two strides length from him, and summoned her staff. He bent his head further.
“Ah-!” Dark energy twisted around him, he couldn’t breathe, he couldn’t breathe- “Ack!”
“Licorice, you failed your mission, do you understand that?”
He whimpered, the jolts of black electricity causing his jaw to stutter- “I-” another jolt. “Yes! I failed!”
“And?”
And-? Another jolt, searing. He didn’t think he was upright anymore, the smell of oxide and the taste of iron and the convulsing of his veins. “I’m sorry! I- ack! - I won’t fail you anymore, Dark Enchantress! I will do b-better! I p-promise!”
The room feel silent, and Licorice crumpled into a heap, his heartbeat thundering and breaths gasping. “Good,” her voice purred with approval.
Foggily, he felt her hands on his head, and he tiredly leaned into the touch. It was warm. When did he get so cold? “Good, Licorice Cookie. I’m so proud of you.” He let out a small noise from his throat. She was proud? Of him? “I just have to teach you. But this is so you will be better, do you understand?”
“Poison Mushroom will have to learn as well, do you understand?” Licorice felt his stomach drop. What? “But for now, this was your mission. It is your responsibility. But another time, then-”
“But for now, you may rest. You will be better, so do not disappoint me, Licorice Cookie.”
And with a final sigh, Licorice gave up and fell into unconsciousness.