Chapter Text
When I fled away from the Dark Cacao Kingdom, I felt more than just lost, to be fair. My ego was crushed, almost no hope left that I’ll find the place for myself in this world… But out of spite I must do it, no matter what! Although now I can’t even provide food for myself, it will change eventually. For now, I just have to hide and reconsider my plans…
I didn’t know where to go and didn’t want the guards to spot me wandering around either, so I spent around week or two at the Coffee Village. At the place where it used to be, more precisely. The last time I was here back in the childhood. Barely remember that time. The village was cold, really cold, and there was nowhere to hide from the wind, which is always kind of harsh in these lands. Full of comfort life in the castle is gone now, huh? Well, I didn’t expect it to last forever anyway.
Looks like I’m homeless now. Not that I wasn’t homeless before, but I couldn’t imagine becoming one again. It doesn’t feel fair at all, even though I do realize that maybe, just maybe, my way of taking over the kingdom was sort of unethical and too radical. Honestly, now I think it would be better if I simply leave the Dark Cacao Kingdom territory and go wandering around the Earthbread. Perhaps I could even build a kingdom of my own, just like I wanted before… Nobody is going to punish me for that, right? That old fool won’t even know where I am, so there’s nothing to worry about.
The next day I started thinking over my plan. Sure, previous one was definitely easier. But with this plan I’ll definitely be safe and sound in the aftermath. Firstly, I had to do something with my clothes to make them less eye-catching. Because if I leave them the same, someone will definitely recognize me. Do I need that? Of course not. I’m not planning on going back to Dark Cacao Kingdom, but who said I won’t run into their residents? And I definitely will, whether I like it or not.
Since I was way too prudent and always had some cutting and stabbing things with me like needles and daggers – you can’t blame a cookie for carrying them, right? – I was able to make something to wear. Not exactly how I imagined using these things, but whatever. Luckily, I knew how to sew, so I’ve stitched some first-time clothes to wear until I can find something better. They looked terrible, at least because they were made of fabric I’ve found at the Coffee Tribe former site. Although this way I won’t draw any unwanted attention and will look more trustworthy… As much as wandering shaman can be, at least. And to make a completely trustworthy image I must act differently, not like I used to before. I’ll try to do everything possible to ensure my own safety. And that nobody will find out about my true identity, of course.
It would be perfect to somehow hide my eyes so nobody’d recognize me just by looking into them. Unfortunately, I don’t know any sort of magic spells which would change eye color. And, I must say, my facial expressions are quite… Distinctive? They, in fact, do look different compared to others’, so perhaps I should cover my face instead? Also, isn’t it smarter to hide not obvious traits, but something that nobody pays attention to? As they say, the best hidden thing is the one that’s right before your eyes. So I’ve made some sort of mask to hide lower part of my face.
Nonetheless, what if someone would be able to, I don’t know, analyze my compound? In that case, it’d be silly of me to deny my Coffee origins, moreover, eyes like mine are literally a feature almost all Coffee cookies share. But coffee and ice cream… I doubt anyone else has something similar in their dough. I only know two types of coffee with ice cream in it, and affogato is one of them. Come to think of it, however, I’ve never heard anyone mention glacé, nor have I heard of a person named after it… Not like they cannot possibly exist, but still. Perhaps it wouldn’t be that bad of an idea to actually try using it as my alias?
But what about my old clothes and staff? All of these are dear to me, especially the staff. Yeah, I’ve found a bag here, but it wasn’t too big at all to put all my old clothes into it, only hairpin and, perhaps, something else not too big would fit in. Well, I could, hypothetically, cover the staff with remnants of the fabric I’ve found, there’s no problem. And as for the clothes, well, I could put my new ones above them, but what’s next? I’d eventually have to get rid of them in the future, especially if I’m planning on visiting another kingdoms, therefore meeting another cookies. Perhaps I’ll figure it out later on, but still, I must come up with the solution as soon as possible.
It was already an evening when I was done with the preparations. Perhaps an evening of the day after the day I began my preparations. When I was ready to depart, I took everything I had, packed things I could pack and took the very last glance at the Coffee Village. Not that I was accustomed to it, not at all. But to think that the place where I was born is destroyed now… Perhaps, it was destroyed not too long after I left it, judging by how much of a disarray here is. Anyway, it doesn’t matter anymore. Don’t think much of Coffee cookies are still alive, let alone are visiting the village.
I didn’t want to look at the citadel at all. It’d be better if I simply forget this part of my life. All this shame, humiliation, disgrace. The way I had to grovel before Dark Cacao Cookie only to achieve a modicum of his trust and respect. And he still looked down at me no matter how hard I tried! Pathetic haughty… snob. Why do I even care so much about hurting his feelings when I call him names?! He never cared about mine, so it’s only fair if I curse him all I want. Yet I can’t. Not sure why, but can’t. Perhaps I’m just way too softhearted, who knows.
I decided to go to the west, where none of the Dark Cacao Kingdom residents can find me. Even if they can, well, they’re not going to recognize me. Yes, my voice is still the same, but I can learn how to lower or higher it’s pitch, right? Yet I still prefer to hope that no one will recognize me and I won’t meet the cookies I know. Soon enough I crossed the border of the Dark Cacao Kingdom, leaving it. Luckily, snow plains ended soon, and I entered warm no-cookie’s land. I missed the warmth, really. Seems like the frigidity is not for me at all. Fine, then I’ll find lands warm enough to accommodate.
How many days did I spend like this? Who knows. Although I didn’t find even a small inn yet. Somehow, I managed to find something to drink or eat – a small river here, some wild berries there, and so on. In any other case I’d never put something like that in my mouth because of its bitterness, but for now I just have to bear with it… Many days I’ve spent without sleep as well. I usually manage to go without it for around a week, but now I’m really tired and hungry. Think it is also the result of the recent stress. Surprisingly enough, when I was about to fall exhausted on the ground, I’ve found… A village? An abandoned one. At least there were come tents, and quite durable ones. No disarray in the village as well. Perhaps, cookies still visit it from time to time? Or maybe they left the village not so long ago. Good, good, no one will disturb me while I’m here. And even if they do… Well, I already have a nice made-up backstory, why worrying so much about anything?
I’ve found a nice tent – judging by its smell, it used to be a healer’s tent. Well, familiar enough field for me. Before going to, let’s say, bed, I’ve tried to change my clothes. At least to ensure I’ll get rid of my old ones before anyone sees me in them. And also because it started to get pretty hot in five layers of clothing. To my own surprise, I’ve changed really quick. Now I should decide where to hide my old clothes… Even though I hate everything related to Dark Cacao Kingdom, I didn’t want to get rid of this attire completely. It looks really expensive, not to mention that I like the way it’s tailored. Then I should somehow hide it… But how? I don’t even imagine. Simply the thought of these clothes getting damaged or filthy was worrying enough for me. Yeah, I’ve got used to wear dirty clothes over the years, but it doesn’t mean I should voluntarily smudge them.
I’ve heard some rustle in the bushes nearby. Okay, seems like I don’t have enough time to think this over. I’ve hid the clothes underneath the flooring of the tent – hopefully it wasn’t made of something which will make my clothes stink – and left the tent to check the bushes. There’s no one, huh…
“Hey, you there!”
Crumbs! Where’s the sound even coming from?! Suddenly, a cookie jumped from the nearby tree. I’ve looked them over quickly. They were wearing ragged clothes – pretty old ones. Look in their eyes was cold and harsh, probably because of their living conditions. They also had only one arm, huh… Well, they’re definitely strong enough if they managed to climb up the tree with the help of only one arm. They also held a crow on their arm. Probably a nice person if even such birds as crows trust them.
“Hey, you hear me?..”
“Ah, sorry! I didn’t know it’s your village. I just wanted to sleep and…”
The cookie next to me chuckled.
“Easy there, I’m not gonna harm you. The village is empty now, you can settle down here if you want”.
It was reassuring, to say the least. Anyway, I couldn’t help but wonder…
“What are you doing here then?”
“Hm? Ah, simply patrolling surroundings, nothing more”. They then looked up to the sky. “See the castle? It is where my tribe resides now. And speaking of village… I just come here visiting it from time to time. To make sure it’s safe and sound, even though nobody lives here anymore”.
Hm, at least they care about their past. Strange enough, but who am I to judge.
“Black Raisin Cookie. And you?”
“Ah? I’m Glacé Cookie”.
“Nice name. By the way, don’t you wanna go with me?”
“E-excuse me?..”
“It is clear you have nowhere to go. And it’d be cruel of me to let you sleep here when I can offer you a night at my inn”. They sighed, their crow slightly rubbed head against their shoulder in some form of support. “Yeah, I still love the village, but let’s be honest: it’s not suitable for living”.
I’ve pondered over their words. It makes sense, but can I really trust strangers, especially that ominous?..
“Oh… You sure I won’t be a burden to your inn, Black Raisin Cookie?”
They laughed heartily.
“Burden, eh? Our inn is made for cookies like you, so don’t worry. C’mon, I’ll lead you there”.
I picked up the bag which was still in the tent and came after them, trying to pick up the pace.
“You look unusual. Where are you from, if you don’t mind me asking?”
Should I tell them?..
“Outskirts of Dark Cacao Kingdom. Coffee Village, more precisely. Although I’m the only descendant alive”
They frowned at my words.
“I’m sorry. That must be a really sore topic to you…”
“I’m fine, don’t worry. I don’t remember my tribe anyways”
They went silent. Well, good for me. The less they ask, the easier it is for me to make up my past. Even though I told them the truth just now, it doesn’t mean I will the next time. What’s the point of my new identity if I don’t even try to play that role? The role of an innocent wandering shaman, who doesn’t even know what happened at the citadel not so long ago.
“We’re here”.
I peeked out from behind their shoulder.
“There’s a cliff”.
“Look down. It’s a portal to the sky”.
I hunched.
“Are you sure it’s safe?”
“How do you think I came to the village? Of course it is. But you may hold my hand is you’re scared”.
“N-no, thanks…”
They stepped in the portal, I followed them. Before I could even realize what’s happening the village’s dark scape has changed to the brighter one. It was almost instantly and, well, scared me.
“You’re tired… I’ll lead you to the inn, don’t worry”.
Do I really look that tired? Hopefully, I won’t tell something careless in this state… Soon enough we’ve reached the inn. How is it called?..
“Crow’s Nest Inn”.
“Thanks. My vision is blurred…”
“I understand. You need to rest”.
Suddenly, I realized something.
“But what about payment? I don’t have enough money to…”
They interrupted me.
“Don’t worry. First day is free. And if you don’t have money to pay… Well, you can help us with work. Fair?”
“Fair, thanks”.
We’ve entered the inn, and immediately all the eyes were turned on us. Visitors of the inn looked over me, whispered something to each other. I could hear some of their mumbles.
“Look, it’s Black Raisin Cookie!”
“Who’s that next to her?”
“They look mysterious…”
“Where did Black Raisin Cookie find him? Does Pure Vanilla Cookie know about him?”
Oh, so she is a girl… I wonder how I didn’t notice it. Guess, I’m really tired…
“Hi, everyone. It’s Glacé Cookie, he’ll stay here for a while. Treat him well, alright?”
“Of course!”
“Show him his room, guys. I have other chores to attend to. See ya!”
One of the workers came to me, leaded to my room and gave me the key. I’ve entered the room. It was small, even cramped, yet cozy enough. And as soon as I stepped into, I realized, how tired I was. After locking the door I collapsed onto the bed, fell asleep almost immediately. Not sure for how long did I sleep, but when I woke up it was already a sunset. I didn’t want to leave the room, but my hunger was so strong… And I don’t have any food with me either.
I came down to the main hall to take some food, but stopped halfway. There was someone else, who I didn’t meet before. Their voice was calm and soothing, yet I couldn’t help but be wary. Should I even show up or just stay here and wait for them to leave?
“Ah, so he’s from Dark Cacao Kingdom? How nice. Where can I find him?”
Seems like I had to show up after all… Calm down, Affogato Cookie, nobody is going to recognize you, everything shall be fine… I decided to face them.