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TW: Mentions of Cults and brainwashing.
Rumors were spreading fast around the Crème Republic and within the Capital Church. Cookies whispering to each other about the massively impressive building with a damaging reputation. St Pastry Cookie sits within his office, feathered wings ruffled as the eyes on each one scorched with a holy light of displeasure. His ancient ears picking up on every sound within his church.
“Did you hear what’s being said about the Order? They’re saying we’re a cult.”
“I heard that St Pastry Cookie actually brainwashes cookies to forcefully convert them. Oh my! Do you think I was brainwashed? I mean he could make it to where we don’t remember!”
Missionary Cookie spoke up.
“Now hold on my friends! The Almighty One is a gracious and kind cookie, he would never do something so vile. Where are these horrible rumors coming from that dare sully his good name?” She asked, her voice shaking from barely contained anger.
“Why the need to defend him so much? If these weren’t true in some way, wouldn’t he defend himself?” Said a male voice.
Missionary Cookie whipped around, ready to give a verbal lashing at the one who dared to say such. But the one she looked at wasn’t a cookie she recognized. He was dressed in the Order’s attire yes, but she didn’t recognize his features, and she knew everyone in the Capital Church. He had pale skin and deep blue hair with these striking eyes that seemed…unnatural.
“Huh? Who are you?”
“Me? I’m Brightwell Cookie. I’m new to the order.” He said, still lightly smiling.
Missionary frowned deeply at him.
“Well Brightwell Cookie, here we greatly respect the almighty St Pastry Cookie, we do NOT disrespect his name. He is our noble leader. If you’re the one spreading these rumors, then shame on you!”
He lightly chuckled.
“Wow, I’ve never seen someone defend their crush and his faults so heavily before.”
“I…W-What?!” She stuttered.
“Really think about it miss, if these rumors were completely false, then why isn’t St Pastry disproving them himself? Why is he holding himself up in his office. Telling us to leave when we knock? Isn’t it suspicious that he refuses to discuss this matter with anyone? If he had nothing to hide, then there would be no issue.” Brightwell stated.
Missionary shrunk back at bit at his words as doubt began to settle in her mind, but then she gripped the thurible around her neck, the one St Pastry Cookie gifted to her. She resolved herself and regained her determination.
“No! Brightwell Cookie I will not take these words any longer! If you have nothing but rumor and vitriol to state, then leave at once. I will not listen to this!” She insisted.
Missionary looked at the other nuns who were surprised, as she was normally very soft spoken.
“Now, if you’ll excuse me, I must continue to preach the words of truth.” And with that, she marched out.
The nuns left after that, still whispering to each other about the rumors going around the republic and the church. Brightwell Cookie simply smirked before sneaking off. He left the church and met up with two cookies in an alley way.
Well? How is it going Brightwell Cookie?” Said a high-pitched female voice.
“All is well Candy Apple Cookie, aside from one thing.” He spoke.
“And what would that be?” Said a smooth voice.
“Well Black Sapphire Cookie, there’s this one girlie in the church. The one that Master Shadow Milk Cookie said had a crush on St Pastry. I spoke and lied with a dash of truth as hard as I could, but she couldn’t be convinced of it. She really is too caught up in her own feelings towards the overgrown chicken that she can’t be convinced of anything bad about it. It’d be funny if it wasn’t so pathetic.”
Black Sapphire Cookie chuckled.
“Well brother, I don’t expect you to get everyone under the thought on your first mission. Don’t worry I can complete it for you.”
“Nah nah nah. I can do it myself. Just give me time.” He said, light pushing his older sibling.
As the three discussed what to do, they didn’t notice that they were being watched by sad yet wide eyes. A young nun named Pastry Shell Cookie had followed Brightwell as she had found him suspicious. And now she had seen the truth with her own eyes. She had to tell one of the saints if St Pastry himself wasn’t allowing anyone into his office. She quietly ran off, trying to find one of the cookies St Pastry considered to be one of his equals. Finally, she found St Banana Meringue Cookie preparing the carriage for her annual travel to the witches castle.
“St Banana Meringue Cookie…!”
“Hmm~? Ah Pastry Shell Cookie what is it?”
“Liars and Heretics have snuck into the Capital church! Brightwell Cookie isn’t who we thought he was! He was the one who spread the rumors to sully the Almighty one!” She explained.
St Banana Meringue’s smile twitched a bit.
“Ah, I see. Well, I’ll let St Pastry Know of this development right away. Thank you for informing me my child. Keep tabs on Brightwell Cookie but stay safe.”
“O-Of course.”
Pastry Shell rushed off again to keep watch of Brightwell and his strange companions. Meanwhile, St Pastry Cookie was asleep at his desk. He was honestly so exhausted that sleep just overcame him. His soul jam allowed him to see normally, but it was darkness surrounding him this time. How odd…
“What is this…? Wait…this feeling…I recognize this power. No…! Leave my mind you filthy sinner!” St Pastry cried in anger.
A multitude of eyes opened around him as laughter filled the stillness. St Pastry found himself kicked to the ground as his trident and soul jam slid far from his grasp.
“Ooooh my my my my my my my my! Isn’t this sooo interesting! Look who it is! My old friend Seraphim Cookie! Oh wait, that’s right, you dropped that name awhile ago. What is it now? St Liar Cookie? St Deceiver? Hah! It’s hilarious!
“Silence!”
“Really, it’s funny that YOU of all cookies have the gall to call me a sinner when you’ve done just. As. Much. EVIL!” The voice sang with wicked glee.
“Shadow Milk Cookie! That! Is! Enough!” St Pastry yelled, though he felt his voice slightly shake from the guilt that rang through his heart.
“Wow, I don’t even have to fully be here to sense all your conflicting emotions~! Oh my~. Are the Witches REALLY worth all this heartache? I mean come on; they convinced you turn against US. The cookies who were ONCE your best friends? Awww, did our friendship truly mean nothing to you? I’m hurt Sera.” He taunted.
St Pastry’s feathers ruffled as his body began to glow.
“Ah ah ah, temper temper.”
Soon the sound of knocking filled St Pastry’s ears, and he heard Shadow Milk Cookie grumble with displeasure.
“Tsk, it seems our time together is getting shortened. Oh well…I’ll be seeing you again VERY soon Seraphim Cookie. Hah HAAAH Hahahahahah!” His voice faded with his laugh.
St Pastry Cookie snapped awake; he sighed…he had to face this. He won’t let those sinners win. Especially Shadow Milk Cookie.
“Mmm…Come in”
A young nun wielding a magic teaspoon entered.
“Ah, Nacre Cookie, what brings you here? Is it the rumors?” He asked.
“Well, yes, but also St Banana Meringue Cookie is here to speak with you.”
“Ah I see, let her in.
Today after this conversation, he’s leaving for Beast Yeast.