Chapter Text
It was his first time traveling alone, even the airship he was on being programmed to autopilot the moment he left.
The air was getting chilly, he had already taken out a few coats after his first night, draping one over his shoulders as he walked outside to see how far he’d gone. Coffee in hand. He had already passed the strait between the Vanilla Kingdom and what was left of the Golden Cheese Kingdom, seeing a faint silhouette of the ice ridge he had to pass before arriving at the Dark Cacao Kingdom.
Hearing that Pure Vanilla Cookie himself has taken lengths to traverse Beast-Yeast, Clotted can’t help but feel motivated. Hollyberry had successfully made alliance with a dragon, and he had heard that Gingerbrave and friends had made their way to the City of Wizards before, he’s sure there’s something he himself can do to increase the number of their allies.
There’s a village north of Dark Cacao Kingdom, past a river and across the Cream Cake Mountains, where a certain resident says she’s met with one of the Elementals and keeps in contact frequently. That’s what he’s heard, anyway, not even directly from someone.
When they concluded their first meeting of allying with higher beings of Earthbread, he had heard Crunchy Chip talk in hushed whispers with His Majesty about someone they can contact in their kingdom, whether they have made any advances on that plan, he’s yet to have a clear answer.
The kingdom of his destination had recently experienced a brief coup, ending in significant damage to the wall bordering the citizens from the murky Licorice Sea, he can understand if resources are scarce. Which is why he’s offering himself as a volunteer.
That is, if he’s allowed to. He’s never traveled somewhere so cold, and if the rumors are true, he’s not planning to die while doing so. Which seems to be why His Majesty himself has yet given him the green light in doing so, at least, not without acceptable preparations.
Even from flying over the ice ridge Clotted feels a little more nervous in his resolve, clenching the grip on his cup before sighing, breath visible. He returns to the cockpit (which was also his bedroom) to check on his coordinates, adjusting the autopilot to make sure he’s going the right way, and checking on the engine to see if the current temperature would be any trouble for prolonged periods of time.
He fears for his life a bit going to sleep that night, feeling a bit relieved seeing a shooting star before he did.
Do stars fall so close to the mountain top?
X
He arrived in the Dark Cacao Kingdom safe, though he was embarrassed when a lot of the soldiers (who he now learns were called Watchers) scrambled to clear a big enough area for the airship, apologizing when he landed.
The change in temperature was immediate, even wear three layers was becoming useless the more he spent outside. Whether it was unpacking what he brought to help the kingdom (with help) or even his own things (with no help), it seems sweating only made things worse.
He was warmly greeted before being escorted to what seemed to be a room specifically for receiving guests, complimentary tea and snacks prepared neatly on a very low table, cushions surrounding it. He’s seen how citizens of the kingdom sit on the floor, but he’s not sure how prepared his body was to do the same.
He was told that His Majesty would be there with him shortly, which surprised him, thinking a representative would be the one meeting with him, considering how rocky their first few encounters were.
Soon enough the doors opened, His Majesty clad in an attire much more fitting to the climate but also gave him an air of reverence different from the armor he’s used to seeing. Beside him, was Crunchy Chip Cookie, face as serious as ever (at least, whenever the consul was around).
“Thank you for sending the aid,” His Majesty says, sitting down, the commander followed suit.
“My pleasure,” he says, suddenly nervous, “The republic has always planned to send aid, but considering the distance…”
“I understand.”
“Then about why I’m here—”
“I will only give you two weeks’ time.”
“Thank you.”
It was certainly a short time-frame. Traveling, surviving, searching, would take ages for an amateur, on top of possibly negotiating with a higher being and succeeding? He would ask for more time, but he does not want to push it when it comes to His Majesty.
“Where’s your aid?” Chip spoke up, the consul not expecting it.
“She’s investigating on what happened to the Divine Sanctum on your first visit, I’m alone.”
The two Cacaoans in front of him shared a glance, the smaller man sighing as if frustrated. Odd, the consul thought Chip would have more of a formal relationship with his king, if he were to do that to any of the elders, he’d surely receive a scolding.
“This complicates things,” the king states.
“I apologize.” He starts, “this venture was purely from my own interest, and I think it would be unfair to ask her to come here.”
A breath was sighed, “you seem to care for your allies,”
“Of course—”
“But,” he interrupts, “although I’ve already asked Chip to accompany you, I feel that this will drastically affect your survivability. I hope you understand what can come of it.”
He thinks for a while. Not only would he be dead weight outside of combat, but if he was to be severely injured, or even end up dead, it would not bode well for those in the Republic, possibly even ruining any potential collaborations between the two nations.
Clotted has come to terms with the weight of his title, and he’s been improving things outside his comfort zone. In fact, he’s more than aware of what comes out of this exchange but is quite touched when His Majesty has the same worries as him.
“Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty. I think I’ve prepared myself enough.”
X
Chip was assigned as the consul’s guide for his upcoming trip, but apparently, he’s also one for when the consul is in the kingdom, extensively explaining Clotted certain etiquette the blond might not be familiar with. Whether it’s where to wear one’s shoes, what to eat first in a coursed meal, and how one would take a bath in the available hot-springs.
“You have a private one in your room, but whatever you do to take a bath is kinda gross.”
Clotted wants to retort, but he understands when the commander explains most hot springs are communal and natural, it can’t be cleaned like a typical bath in the republic. He was also given extra clothes, whatever coats he had brought seemed to be ineffective to the commander’s standards.
“We’re around the same size, you can use mine.”
He was given a grace period of three days to get used to the weather and, as the commander puts it, “act like a soldier instead of some diplomat” before they embark on their quest.
Granted the only thing deterring him was the rations. The inn he’s staying in served him a very grand meal on his first night here but was asked to switch the menu into something more realistic to what they’ll be having the next two weeks.
“Commander?”
“Yeah?”
“Could I ask why you’re here?”
After dinner, the commander had followed Clotted to his room, nothing out of the ordinary yet, the latter probably wants to talk his ear out about what to do once they’re on their expedition, and he did, but instead of retiring for the night, he stayed.
Chip was sitting down next to the sliding door, legs crossed as he looked in the direction where the consul was sleeping.
“We leave at sunrise, and I do not trust you to be up that early.”
Clotted thinned his lips, he’s woken up before sunrise countless times before, but he focuses on the commander’s trust in him, understanding the lack of it between them. He sits up from his futon again.
“I’ll wear what’s for tomorrow then,”
“No, it’s fine. You need all the rest you can get.”
“And what about you?”
“I’ve gone to Snowfall Village before, I know my limits.”
Instead of reassuring the consul, it seems to only make him more excited.
“Then have you met that Cookie before? The one who has contact with an Elemental?”
“Granny Cotton?—” he coughs, “if you’re referring to Cotton Cookie, then yes.”
Clotted crawled out of his bed more, “how is that possible? Did she do something? Was she blessed—”
“That’s enough. You can ask her yourself.”
“…You’re right, I apologize.”
The consul felt a bit self-conscious, especially with how concerned the commander seemed to be reacting to it, draping a blanket over himself again and staring at the ceiling. The light was off and there was only the dim light from outside his window, it was cozy.
He’s going to leave this all soon, he thinks, settling in a bit more before turning to the commander once again, checking if he’s looking.
Thankfully he isn’t, but it’s clear Chip is lightly sleeping while sitting right up, the consul wonders how often he does that before drifting out of consciousness himself.
X
Clotted was indeed not prepared to be woken up early. He doesn’t quite remember what happened after, he knew he got dressed once the commander made sure he could stand on his own legs. He was left in just enough time before he was given the backpack he was supposed to carry, noticing how small it is compared to the commander’s despite being heavy.
When he walked out, a mounted Cream Wolf was waiting for them outside the inn. When asked if they were going to ride it together, the commander scoffed.
“What? We’re walking. That’s for firewood and rations.”
Only moments after would the commander start walking, Clotted lightly stumbling while trying to follow, still not used to the (big) snowshoes given to him. Leaving exactly when the sky starts to purple from the sun.
He can only hope to achieve something from this.