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It was a somber afternoon within Espresso’s laboratory; Per usual, quiet and devoid of any outside light as the dark blinds were shut. This was how the coffee mage enjoyed spending their days..
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Locked in a messy laboratory, with items which weren’t considered “a necessity” scattered across the dark oak floors, the only things that were even slightly organized were important documents; Papers, going off about coffee magic and whatever else the scholar had decided to occupy her mind with, old notebooks that she had already filled to the brim with her research- Her desk. Her desk was like a sacred space. It was neatly kept, everything where it was meant to be! Even items that others would deem clutter, like cups of coffee, were stacked together and placed in the corner.
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Like I said, Espresso’s desk, was a sacred place. One he did not even bare to leave in a similar state like the rest of his laboratory, in fear of losing an important piece of the puzzle that is their busy schedule and workload.
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With that being mentioned, today it seemed as if the mage’s schedule was not that overbooked.. As well- It seemed as if she was having trouble with finding something to occupy herself with! Re-reading, and re-re-reading notes; Checking, re-checking and re-re checking the work she had accomplished over the span of a few days.. Surely there was a flaw, an imperfection? Something that she missed?
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The idea sounded outright absurd, Espresso knew that her work was perfect and un-flawed! But.. At this rate, they were desperate.
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They were the type of cookie who were unable to sit still without doing something, and with the stubbornness of wanting to be efficient.. Not waste a single second.. This is the situation they had found themselves in..
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Amidst the silence that filled the empty space of the mage’s laboratory, and the silence that she had tried her very best to be of use-
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“ ESPRESSO!!! ”
A familiar, boisterous, obnoxious voice yelled out. A familiar voice that Espresso had grown.. Well, accustomed too, despite the countless flaws of the cookie who owner it. Hearing that cookie yell out his name- It brought both joy, and rage to infect their thoughts.
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The mage was still attempting to work, still looking through past experiments and tests for flaws, mistakes she had managed to somehow make an error with the careful, precise and precautious ways Espresso labored away.. Truth be told, they were even hoping to find something! Anything was better then having to come out, and be seen as some type of.. Layabout! A break was not necessary, and Espresso was forever determined to stick to such a belief; No matter how much people had tried to convince him otherwise.
Why spend your time talking with cookies, when instead you could be doing something great for the sake of Earthbread!
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” Earth to you, ma douce? “ㅤㅤ
Espresso, finally managing to escape from the thoughts of his mind was drowned in; Found one of her lovers arms wrapped around her chest, while the other was combing through and playing with the brunettes- as they would describe; Lushous, yet absolutely tangled, silky and unkept.. Strands of hair.
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” ..Madeleine. “
Espresso responded simply, with their voice stay low.. Opposed to the obnoxious yelling of Madeleine making her presence known. The two were completely contrasting figures, saying that you’re simply- Surprised by the notion of them even working as well.. Even as acquaintances! Would be an understatement.
” I was under the impression that you were going to rid yourself of the habit of barging into my home.. I’m a busy cookie, Madelle. “
The scholar moved one of their gloved hands to rest atop the one wrapped around their chest, a small, faint, barely visible smile creeping onto her face as she did so- Finding comfort in the presence of the; Literally, and metaphorically- Glowing presence behind them.
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” Ah.. Well, forgive me! Let me apologize for being filled to the brim with joy to see you after such a dreeaadful time apart.. “
Madeleine stated with a sarcastic undertone, laced in such— As well as truth. The paladin was truly, filled to the brim with joy, and certainly more than happy to see the coffee connoisseur.
” Are you not pleased to be within my glorious presence? Are the indicators on your face simply there to mess with me? “
The paladin, had still been continuing their travels across the vast lands of Earthbread; With those occasional, once in a few month visits to the wonderfully rebuilt Pure Vanilla Kingdom.. It was practically routine at this point.
Madeleine was to visit the Pure Vanilla Kingdom, stretch her visit to an entire week, before leaving to continue their path towards treading upon every corner of Earthbread! This visits had even been accompanied with treasures Madelle had managed to acquire during their travels, and each gift Espresso was sure to cherish.. Each and everyone having a place within the lower library back on the first floor— Gifts which had meant the most being kept within the dark, voided confines of the scholars personal laboratory.
Much like the paladins joyful personel, the gifts she brought alongside her visit were vibrant.. Offering the slightest bit of color to the mage’s personal laboratory.
” I- ..Why, of course my features aren’t hiding a lie. I’m pleased to see you. I simply just wish you wouldn’t come inside a personal area such as this.. Without even knocking. “
Espresso replied, pointing out what was.. Merely a pet peeve. The amount of times they had been startled, and by proxy, messed up her precise ways of doing things all due to the thorn at her side making a loud appearance.
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They were happy to see their partner, especially when she had absolutely paid a visit at the most perfect of times.. Already finished with past projects, and now— Looking for a way to pass the time that hasn’t included venturing into the outside world, and being buried by worried cookies asking if they were fine.
He appreciated that cookies paid mind to his health, but never quite understood why they would waste breath asking a question with an obvious answer. They were moving, breathing, and while only partially on the verge of falling to the ground- The mage’s crumbs were still together, and they had barely crumbled off.
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” Well, when a cookie tells you that I haven’t left my home in an entirety of a week.. I wish to know how’d you react. “
Madeleine proposed a possibility in Espresso’s mind, before gently leaning forward and giving the mage a kiss on the cheek; Moving their other arm to wrap around the front of the cookie in front.
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” I’d be worried— Sick, of course, seeing as it’s a change in the way your days go! You spending days within the comfort of your home, without any reasoning or notice isn’t.. Like you, whatsoever. “
Espresso paused, moving a hand to push their glasses up.
” However, for me; It is but a natural occurrence. You have no need to worry about me, for this is something that you have grown used to. “
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” You are tarnishing your already frail health! I fear that one of these days, I will find only your crumbs. “
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And, of course, there was the signature line about the mage’s health, about how it’s continuing to worsen! About how they will only be left as crumbs soon enough if they don’t take their well-being into consideration.
” I’m not feeble, I will survive just fine without that constant recommendation you give me of rest.. I’m no idler, and I will not be perceived as such. “
Like always, Espresso had tried to dodge the subject.. Or more so, try to pry through it just enough that Madeleine would leave the subject alone. It was- Annoying, to constantly hear the same exact words from everyone around around them.. She knew they cared, that they were worried, but never will understand why.
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With the end of the sentence, a long groan was heard from behind-
“ ..Uuuggghhhh… You are both laughable, and insufferable.. “
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Almost as if Espresso had been as light as a feather, they were effortlessly picked up from the seat of their desk, and kept within the arms of their companion.. Trying to wriggle free of the grasp with no use. Truly stuck, and without a way out of their current predicament.
On the other side of the stick! Madeleine had been trying to neatly move whatever had been placed onto the cushioned seats of the sofa behind the scholar’s desk; While all that was there were simply old documents, and old pieces of work kept around, the paladin had ensured to be extra careful with every little thing.. Not wanting to face the wrath of the fiesta mage still stuck within her arms.
By the divines! It was almost as if they were hissing.. As if getting those razor sharp fangs ready to pierce through the dough of the paladin and let venom run through, simply because- Well.. The paladin had decided that pursuading wouldn’t do much! So, she took matters into her very own hands!
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” Now! You, will remain sat on this very sofa, and allow me to pamper your every need! For it is something you need desperately. “
Espresso opened their mouth, however, they were quickly cut off by Madeleine.. Placing a finger to her mouth.
” Uh-buh-buh.. I do not wish to hear yet another argumentative word escape your mouth! You will let yourself rest! Have a nice, leisurely, relaxing day.. Ah.. If we were in House Madeleine I could’ve very much given you better comfort.. “
Madeleine stated, moving that finger to their chin, stroking it gently.. All while Espresso was basically glued to the cushions of the sofa, not moving a single muscle and simply letting Madeleine speak..
After all, this ‘rest’ could very much turn into a nice read through old notes of past work.. Espresso could simply play it off as if they were just reading a book!
Or.. They could enjoy this break.. It was just Madeleine and them, and Madeleine is not as much of the judgemental type the mage is.
” No matter! I, Madeleine Cookie, am able to have you feel like royalty wherever.. Name your request, aimer, and I will complete it to the best of my ability! “
A loud laugh escaped out of Espresso’s mouth, laughing at the theatrical way Madeleine had offered to fulfill Espresso’s every need.. Almost as if she had accepted some type of difficult, important journey..
Madeleine found the laughing confusing, not exactly understanding what was so funny.. Though being pleased at succeeding at making the normally stoic cookie crack a smile, a laugh at that!
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” AHA- Ha… I apologize, at times it’s quite hard to not laugh at the way you approach these types of things.. “
The mage calmed themselves, letting out a sigh.. That was followed by a muffled chuckle.
” Hm.. Why, if I’m going to be forced to be sat in this sofa for the rest of the day, a blanket would be wonderful! As well as a few booksss.. If you’re willing to run all the way down, and back. “
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” I am not known as the best graduate of the Paladin Academy without reason! It’s a simple task I can accomplish. “
Madeleine took that as a challenge, nodding eagerly before enthusiastically speed-walking down the stairs.. The loud clanking of armour following after.
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A few minutes or so after, Madeleine had made it back to the laboratory.. A few books stacked in one hand, and a blanket rolled up in the other! Precisely what had been requested.
She placed the books beside Espresso, who had now shifted into a comfortable position.. Huh. Maybe they were going to enjoy the freetime that had been gifted to them after all! A definite relief. Madeleine threw the blanket on top of them, settling down comfortably beside them.. Semi-Admiring how at peace the other looked, how they had managed to relax.. It was a side that, in all honesty, had very rarely been able to seep through the cracks of the persona that had been carried around everyday.
Leisure is something Espresso detested too on multiple occasions, so, being met with them relaxed, without any residue of worry left behind it was— Comforting. To Madeleine atleast. It was comforting to know that Espresso trusted her enough to let a side this escape even more a moment!
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It was comforting to know that they were unable to fear judgement in the presence of someone like Madeleine.. Especially, when they had known that almost all cookies from the Upper City were snobs. Cookies who only had time for themselves, and their worries..
Madeleine was different, but not in the sense of her personality.. But in the sense that the could bond over things, in the sense that Madeleine’s over-confident, obnoxious personality wasn’t all that she was! It was amusing, and a complete misdirect from what her views and ideals actually were.
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” Oh... Why thank you, my knight in shining armour! Where would I be without your assistance! “
Espresso imitated the same theatrical way of Madeleine speaking, laughing out loud with lightly muffled giggles as they rested their head on the shoulder of the blonde.. It wasn’t the comfiest thing ever, seeing as Madeleine was wearing armour.. But, it was intimate, and felt right.
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” Aha! Why of course! I am here to forever bring you aid, whenever I am needed. “
The paladin joined in the playful imitation, wrapping an arm around Espresso, giving their forehead a small peck before laying her own head atop of theirs. Letting out a quiet giggle, lightly tightening the grip she held on Espresso’s shoulder.
” That is no joke, if I must make you aware. I will forever be there for you! Through dawn, and night! And I do hope you don’t forget these words. “
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Espresso’s face was shrouded in shock, as if they themselves were unable to believe what had just left Madeleine’s mouth.. A voice that had grown to be an annoyance, loud, and obnoxious, a voice Espresso recognized the second the speaker had opened her mouth.. And the same voice that brought them joy- Was saying something comforting? While it wasn’t unheard of.. Those words left butterflies flying within the mage’s stomach, let a faint yet noticeable smile creep up onto their face. Knowing that someone will forever be by your side, no matter what- Was comforting.
” Thank you. “
And yet, all that she was able to muster up was a thank you, while a hand moved upwards to the center of the armour protecting the paladin’s chest, right where you could feel a heartbeat if your hand wasn’t blocked by a sturdy metal adorned in golden accents.
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Madeleine moved a hand to rest atop the hand of the scholar, holding it gently as she slowly leaned forward.
” Will you remember my words? Will you think back to them the moment you are in need of assistance, and recall that you will always be able to reach a hand out to me? “
” You will forever have my back, I know that for certain. “