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Licorice held a hand to his face as he traversed through the thick snow, trying to keep the falling snow out of his eyes. The wind howled around and through him, but even as he shivered and felt his dough beginning to harden and threaten to crack, he didn’t turn back. Dark Enchantress would be far too mad if he did! He just had to investigate that strange Dark Forest. It shouldn’t take long and even if it did he could handle it... He hoped so.
The Dark Forest was, well, a part of a forest, tucked away deep inside so that only Cookies who knew of its existence would even think of trying to come there. For some reason, no light could shine into it. A border separated it from the rest of the woods, made by the pitch black sky that hung over it. No one could explain it. It had been that way for as long as Earthbread had been around, give or take, but its mystery and eeriness didn’t stop Dark Enchantress from wanting to explore it. Seeing it less as a creepy forest full of Millennial Tree knows what and more as potential to truly spread darkness.
The only problem?
It was already inhabited.
Dragons roared, limbs skittered, and Licorice wasn’t too sure what that one thing was, just that try as it did it wasn’t a Cookie. All related to one singular castle even deeper within. Of course, this was all also forgetting.. Him. The woods could all do their best to frighten Licorice into rethinking his life choices, but the sense of annoyance and dread meeting that one cookie was all it took to make the experience go from bad to worse.
Licorice wasn’t too sure what his name was, and he wasn’t too keen on telling. It was almost like a game to him, seeing how long he could let his identity go a mystery. Everything was like a game to him.
Was it nice being praised endlessly? Sure, but Licorice would have liked for it to be genuine, and nothing that came from that cookie’s mouth ever was. Just one time Licorice wanted to go into this wretched forest and not have to encounter that no good, two-faced-
And there he was.
Resting against a tree with his eyes closed was the exact cookie Licorice dreaded finding. Licorice already cut his losses, knowing the crunching snow beneath his feet would give him away. He paused, weighing his choices before letting out a defeated sigh, and walking up to the cookie. They wore their usual suit, though now had on a scarf, pair of gloves, and furry boots, and their clothes seemed to be made from thicker frosting. Whoever that Thiopental Cookie that employed him was, it was clear they took good care of him. Licorice couldn’t help but feel envious, standing there in the same worn rags he always wore, with his only accommodation for the cold weather being a pair of simple shoes to keep his feet from breaking off.
Despite walking up to him, he didn’t move. He didn’t even open his eyes. Was he asleep? He always looked so well-rested though, even now, so him just falling asleep against a tree didn’t make sense. Plus, he seemed smart enough to not let himself be so vulnerable in the middle of these woods.
Licorice stayed quiet, staring at him. Waiting for him to speak. But he never did. Eventually Licorice got frustrated and sighed loudly, “You’re going to say something, so just say it! I’m busy enough without waiting on you!”. Despite talking directly to him, the man still didn’t speak. Staying resting with his eyes closed and a small, content smile, which if Licorice didn’t know any better he would think was genuine.
“Hey!” He yelled, stepping closer. The only thing he hated more than having to talk to this snake, was being ignored by the likes of him. “I’m talking to you! The least you could do is respond!”. He had better things to do than this.. But it seemed this Cookie pushed all the right buttons to make Licorice stay, without him even realising. This knowledge was what finally got him to acknowledge the Sorcerer. His eyes fluttered open, just enough to look around. They were squinted, ready to close again whenever the servant pleased. His expression otherwise unchanging, he turned his head to look at Licorice, making him shudder at the eeriness of his behaviour. Though with how cold it was, it was hard to tell when he was already shivering from the cold.
“Yes, Sir Licorice Cookie?” He finally spoke, formal as usual. “Finally!” Licorice huffed, a bit ticked off still as the cookie acted like it was him that wanted to talk. It was totally this weirdo that wanted to, Licorice just.. Had things to do and couldn’t wait around! Yeah..
“What are you doing anyway?” Licorice decided to ask, staring suspiciously at him. The Cookie just turned his head back to the sky, watching as the snow fell before he closed his eyes back. “I’m waiting.” “For what?”, he just hummed, thinking of what best to say. “Why not join me and find out?”. Licorice paused, laughing for a second before he realised they were serious, then scoffed “Didn’t you hear me earlier? I’m busy! Even if I wanted to be around you I have no good reaso-”.
A draconic growl rang out through the forest and Licorice yelped, immediately ducking to the opposite side of the tree in an attempt to hide. The pale cookie just laughed, attempting to lighten the mood though it was hard when it came out so empty and hollow. “There’s nothing to fear, Sir Licorice Cookie. The Bark Chocolate Dragon won’t attack. So long as you’re by my side, of course…” “... M-maybe staying here isn’t too bad an idea.. Just for a moment.” He weakly chuckled, sounding almost as genuine as the other one. “In that case, Sir Licorice Cookie, just lean back, relax, and close your eyes. It will happen before you know it.”.
Still cautious but unable to back out now, he did as told. Leaning back, trying to relax and ultimately failing, and closing his eyes.
And then began the long, long wait.
The minutes silently ticked by.
Neither Cookie said anything.
The wind howled and snow fell all the same.
“.... Is it happening now?” Licorice finally asked impatiently, after what felt like forever. “Just a bit longer, Sir Licorice Cookie~” Was all he got in response.
So he kept waiting.
And waiting.
And wai- Okay this guy had to be messing with him. They had easily been waiting for an hour now. He was just trying to make Licorice waste time and look stupid in the process. Licorice opened his mouth to speak, ready to chew this freak out if needed, but wasn’t given the chance before they spoke instead. “Alright, I believe you can open your eyes now, Sir Licorice Cookie!”. He didn’t have to be told twice. Not immediately realising what had changed, he looked around. When nothing seemed new about the forest itself, he looked towards the ground, then the sky.
The sky was grey.
Not a light grey by any means, but it wasn’t especially dark either. It was just.. Grey. Snow still falling down all the same. Normally such a gloomy and boring colour wouldn’t be anything to write home about, but in this forest, it was downright magical.
Licorice was left stunned in awe as he watched the sky. It didn’t change again, but that singular change in colour was enough. “What.. I-i don’t understand, i thought the sky here couldn’t..” He trailed off, more fake laughter being heard as the pale cookie walked over to Licorice’s side, watching with him.
“Snowglow…” He explained vaguely, elaborating “A common belief is that light cannot exist within the forest. That isn’t entirely true. Say, for example, you tried to light your path through here with a candle. It wouldn’t shine against the darkness of the woods if you were outside of it, but the moment you walked in it would shine no problem! That applies to all sources of light.. Including snow.”. Licorice didn’t say anything but nodded, listening to his explanation while still focused on the sky. “Personally I like the pitch black sky, but when it lights up like this.. It’s quite a wonder. It only happens during Winter too. The season has become rather special for me..”.
Neither spoke for quite some time, content to just watch the sky with one another. Licorice had forgotten the task at hand as he stared at the magical marvel. That is, until the tall and lanky cookie moved in front of him. He was about to get annoyed before he took his scarf off, and carefully wrapped it around Licorice, who squeaked in surprise. “W-what-” “I noticed how cold you were. Doesn’t your employer offer you warmer clothes for weather like this? You’ll crumble at this rate.”. While the question was rhetorical, Licorice ended up grumbling before replying “You don’t know the half of it..”.
“Would you like to discuss with me, Sir Licorice Cookie?” He offered, finishing tying the scarf around Licorices neck. It still wasn’t much, but it helped Licorice to feel just a bit warmer. He was having trouble telling if the red on his cheeks was from the cold, or some other reason…
“I wouldn’t recommend talking out in this cold though, you’ve been out here long enough i believe.. Come, I shall take you to the castle~”. Without waiting for a reply, the cookie walked away, expecting Licorice to follow. To his credit, he did, though more so for answers than anything. “W-wait wait wait, you’re bringing me to your employer’s castle?! You do realise I'm not on your side, right?” The other cookie didn’t slow his pace, but did nod. “Yes, yes, I'm well aware. I know you don’t come here just to talk to me. I live to serve, however. If that means serving the enemy, then oh well…”. He said it so nonchalantly, Licorice almost stopped in his tracks just from the statement. To be so subservient you’d help those against you.. That wasn’t the typical weirdness he expected from this guy. He actually felt concern for him.
“I.. I see..” Was all Licorice said though. He clearly thought it was normal, and Licorice wasn’t fond enough to think he should raise his concern about the issue. The two had very different definitions of how they should treat their enemies. The burning hate Licorice felt for him helped to keep him warm, yet as he followed him to the castle, he couldn’t help but snuggle into the scarf.