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clank…clank…clank
Absentmindedly, the captive beast would play around with his restraints, letting the chains keeping his wrists close to one another clash together repeatedly.
It had been a few days after his capture, he still recalled everything. The fight, the unfair odds against him, the sheer luck those crumbs had been blessed with…and his embarassing defeat.
What happened after? A good chunk of it, he didn't recall. He was down for who knows how long before waking back up in a cell similiar to the one he was currently held in.
The past week? Went by quickly, in all honesty. He remembered his multiple attempts to break out during those council meetings, back when he still had all of his power…
…back when that MAT hadn't convinced everyone to forcefully snatch it away from him.
Now? He had been sentenced to a seal. No, not like that rotten old tree..but somehow just as, if not WORSE that it. Thanks to it, he couldn't accest his power, he couldn't shapeshift NOR summor anything. He couldn't access his other-realm anymore…he just
couldn't
do
ANYTHING.
He HATED it.
Shadow Milk would look at his hands, then at his wrists..before violently yanking his whole body forward in frustration.
His magic was like a part of him, something he had since his baking. It felt just as important as lifepowder to a beast, it was part of him. A component now crudely ripped out of his dough.
Without it he felt severely impaired. So…weak. Frail. Defenseless..
He never wanted this, it was the worst kind of dreadful….
HE HATED IT
He'd yerk forward once more, at full force…but to no avail. To ensure his stay, those rotten pests had put him in chains. CHAINS! Around his legs, his neck, his wrists…the last he dreaded he most, considering those restraints served two functions.
That of keeping him here AND prohibiting his access to magic.
He felt like he was some sort of cakehound.
However, before he could thrash a third time in frustration, the beast would be alerted by chattering outside his cell door. At this hour? How strange…
The noise seemingly came from two or three cookies conversating…one voice was freakishly familiar.
it was HIM..
"Oh no no, I'd rather be alone this time. Thank you for the offer."
Soon, he'd hear two of the figures leave, signaled by faint footsteps growing farther and farther..
..next, someone would turn the key to his cell door, which would would creak open, bringing with it that dreaded confirmation.
He stiffened, narrowing his eyes at the figure.
That
THIEF.
..___________________..
"..Shadow Milk Cookie."
The beast would look up, stiffing his posture at the one before him.
"What do you want?"
He'd bark out, irritated. Pure Vanilla knew the reason why.
"I just wanted to pay you a visit."
The ancient carefully closed the door behind him, snuffing out the noise coming from the outside all over again.
"How are you faring?"
No response.
"..hm, I see."
He'd walk closer, before searching for something inside his cape. Pure Vanilla would then find what he had been looking for after a bit of a struggle, and pulled out something from a small pouch.
The sweet, easily recognizable smell managed to catch his predecessor's attention. That frown remained…yet his eyes quickly locked on the unexpected "gift".
A small victory for the healer.
"I've brought some jellies with me, would you like any?"
Holding one of his hands out, he'd offer a few to the cookie of deceit…He might have been hungry, he figured.
He only recieved a glare.
"…I suppose not."
The healer would retreat his hand, putting back those few jellies in that pouch.
Tension was only rising the more they stayed inside, just the two of them. It was so thick it could be practically cut with a knife, if one could say.
Usually, Shadow Milk was notorious for his chatter. It was an aspect Pure Vanilla's been told about many, many times during the week he'd spent imprisoned in the Creme Republic. Outside of council meetings, the jester's behaviour would have been reported frequently as well. Mostly by guards venting out their frustrations with him.
Now, the atmosphere was much much different. Both had fallen silent for a good while until the ancient decided to resume their one sided "discussion"
is there an--"
"Shut up."
Though it seemed Shadow Milk wanted to hear none of it.
"…just answer my question, and scram. I don't want to be interrogated by the likes of you."
The beast bared his teeth, his words oozing pure hatred and venom from each and every letter.
With his magic gone, Pure Vanilla figured anyone wold be upset. But this had to be done to ensure everyone was safe. He didn't want to risk the lives of many by letting a beast run loose.
He'd sigh, turning to the ground.
"Well….I was wondering if you'd reconsider my proposal."
No response.
He'd turn to Shadow Milk's face, returning his stare.
"Do you still want to keep this incessant fighting…or would you rather settle this once and for all?"
The beast looked at him, then at his souljam, and then back to the ancient. His eyes widening as he'd repeat his words.
"….once and for all..
you…
…YOU!!!--"
After a beat of silence, Shadow Milk sent him glare. And thightly clenched his fists. Shaking in sheer fury, he'd start stomping his feet to the ground, immediately rejecting his successor's offer…just like he'd done many times prior.
"HOW DARE YOU!!"
He'd spat out, violently yanking the chains holding him in place.
"DO YOU REALLY THINK I'D ACCEPT YOUR PATHETIC TRICKS? YOU…YOU TOOK MY EVERYTHING! My other-realm, MY SOULJAM!"
Pure Vanilla frowned, retreating his hand..but not faltering in front of the beast.
Deep down, he doubted Shadow Milk really regretted any of his actions. That was certain. The way he boasted and congratulated himself for his victories, how prideful it made him..deception never really left this cookie, but meaning surely did. This scene before him was…sad, dare he say even pitiful.
However, it wasn't his turn to talk just yet.
That cookie of deceit, depowered and weak, had only paused to catch his breath. In fact, he still had the energy for more crude, unfiltered jabs at his successor.
He grit his teeth, glaring at the ancient in fury.
"And still..you weren't done tormenting me, oh no no no.. You still stole the last bit of freedom I had left! All that was ME ..my POWER, MY STRENGHT!! YOU.. YOU FRAUD!!!"
The sound of his furious yelling and clattering bindings would echo around the room, yet still failed to convey the full extent of the ex-virtue's thrashing. With all of his might, he'd push himself forward twice, as if trying to yank his body right in Pure Vanilla's direction. If he wasn't binded, he'd probably lunge at him.
Pure Vanilla didn't waver, and waited as the beast tried again and again to free himself. To somehow break those chains and get back his seized freedom.
The healer observed as he gradually started to tire out, his wild yanks growing weaker and weaker…until he nearly fell over, fatigued. With his head hanging low, that cookie would tremble and pant in exhaustion. The concept of not having that revoked power, the power to break free with little to no difficulty still appeared alien to the beast. Even from an outsider perspective.
"Once I get it back….you'll wish to have crumbled in my spire."
Despite everything, Shadow Milk still kept stubborn. He forced his head up, to look back at the ancient.
"Mark.
My.
WORDS."
Right after that one final threat, he'd collapse to his knees. In silence, he only kept trembling and breathing heavily. Clearly impaired by the lack of remaining energy to yell at his successor.
The ancient's gaze would soften.
"Stop overexerting yourself, Shadow Milk. You're tired. You'll risk hurting yourself that way."
Without hesitance, Pure Vanilla would step towards the restrained beast. The space between the two of them growing smaller.
He'd glance at him, with a glimpse of sympathy in his eyes..before shaking his head to finally speak the truth. His truth.
"I'm not trying to force you into a friendship, Shadow Milk. We still have our…differences. For the time being, I believe it wouldn't work out. We both, for our own reasons, are not yet ready…. but-"
He'd look away, facing the entrance to that cell. It felt much, much more distant than when he first entered…but he wouldn't care. He was here for a reason, and that reason was to try and talk. To fully understand what caused Shadow Milk's fall. To fully understand why he was so…lost compared to when he'd last seen him.
Just what transpired after he left?
"-- if we could stop this…constant back and forth, even just for a short while then.."
He'd take another step, closing the large gap between them just a little more.
Turning around, Pure Vanilla placed one hand on the bottom of his souljam's brooch. His gaze directed towards the item for a moment…before going back to the chained beast.
"…I could show you a better way. I want to show you a better way. A way that doesn't give short-term glee and satisfaction, or a short-lived escape…but true, long-term fulfillment."
He opened his eyes.
"This is why, back in that spire, I've offered you my friendship."
He'd take another step. Determined.
"We don't have to fight forever, we don't have to clash against eachother. War, revenge…it doesn't bring true happyness."
The beast didn't respond. He didn't, in fact, even try to look at him. And only kept facing the ground troughout his entire speech. His expression? Unreadable..
..until he'd crack a smile..
"…he…ha ha…. hahahaha.. "
Before Pure Vanilla was able to question him, he'd be interrupted by a burst of laughter.
".. HA HA HA HA HA HA HA!! YOU HYPOCRITE!"
Shadow Milk would lift his head back up, still on his knees, and now with the word amusement plastered on his face. He'd keep giggling uncontrollably, driven to the point of tears by the sheer hilarity of what he'd just heard.
As he'd recollect himself, the jester would manage to wipe a tear with one of his restrained hands. A newfound grin plastered on his face.
"Do you really think anyone would believe you? If revenge brings "nothing but emptiness" …then I wouldn't even BE here! In fact, I wasn't even doing anything wrong!"
Pure Vanilla would narrow his eyes and shake his head. No, he didn't share the same sentiment.
"You've still harmed cookies, and that brings consequences. Even with understanding, those actions aren't justified."
The ancient spoke from his heart..yet the beast didn't seem to care, as per usual.
His smile dropped a little, and he'd glare at the healer.
If anything, all he seemed interested in doing was wearing down his will. And so, he'd make another attempt to do just that.
"Deep down, I know what you are. I can tell how much fear my mere presence instills in you, it is glaringly obvious! I bet you even have.. GASP n-n-n-n-nightmares? Oh you poor, poor thing. Otherwise, why would you sentence me to this?..Justice? Safety? HA! How utterly HILARIOUS."
He'd only keep going, just as his target kept not giving him the reaction he wanted.
"This idea of friendship you have is merely a ploy to get what you want, selfishness masked as selflessness…easy-peasy! Out of everyone, do you really expect me to fall for that? pfft.. HA HA HA HA HA!!
…You truthly are pathetic."
Aft erwards, the room would fall in complete and utter silence once more. Both parties stared at eachother, undoubtedly, with no victory or loss. If anything, they'd reached not a conclusion..but rather a stalemate.
Pure Vanilla took the next move.
"…very well then."
Shadow Milk would jerk back, confused.
"what?"
He'd move backwards a bit, giving the weakened beast some space before taking on a more formal demeanor.
"I'm here to tell you something else. Other cookies refused to come…so I've volunteered to do so instead."
He'd move a hand on his mouth, clearing his throat before continuing.
"Tomorrow, you will be allowed outside…that is, without magic and under supervision, to ensure no one is hurt. These are the terms decided by the council."
Having informed that cookie, his duty was done, and Pure Vanilla would turn to start walking back towards the cell door. He'd gently open it, a soft creaking echoing trough the room.
Before leaving, he looked back at Shadow Milk for one last time.
"..if you want to change your mind one day, my offer still stands."
He recieved only a scoff...and a possible warning in response.
"Tch, you're just being delusional."
Of course, he'd expect the beast to still refuse his proposal. It was, arguably, predictable…but he woudn't give up just yet.
He gave him one small smile before closing the door behind him.
"..goodnight."