Chapter Text
“We’re having visitors, Pavlova Cookie.”
Eternal Cookie would say, laying lazily on a saccharine cloud as she idly strummed her lyre. Pavlova Cookie was in the midst of putting his arrows away.
“Visitors..?” Pavlova Cookie asked. He didn’t really know of much possible visitors. Eternal Sugar Cookie didn’t talk too much to him about foreign people, other than her “other half” or however she worded it.
“Indeed, my ally has a few young ones, just like you,” Eternal Sugar Cookie hummed.
“Would you mind keeping them company? I have much to catch up on.” She said, despite her tone, Pavlova Cookie knew it wasn’t a question. He had no choice, for he would never want to upset the bringer of joy.
“Of course, that would be no problem..” Pavlova Cookie said, he could tell she didn’t enjoy his hesitant tone, and so he quickly tried to put on his brightest smile.
“Tell me about who i’m entertaining! I’d want nothing but to spread them as much joy as possible.” He chirped, seeing her expression soften.
“The trickster of deceit,” Eternal Sugar cookie hummed, her wings flaring slightly at the mention.
“And his allies,” She added. Pavlova Cookie shuddered, though whispers of the outside beasts were rare, the trickster was the most popularly known. A shape-shifting, merciless monster who only knew entertainment through others’ pain.
“Of course, I expect you to be the best host you can to them.” She said, sitting up.
“Yes, I will be,” Pavlova Cookie bowed his head. This was going to be a long day.
It wasn’t even an hour later that the visitors arrived. Pavlova Cookie was ordered to stay by Eternal Sugar Cookie’s side until she dismissed him and Shadow Milk’s minions. Pavlova Cookie had to try to not shudder seeing them. They stuck out against the pastel, vibrant scenery. There was the undoubtable trickster himself. Blue jester attire, fitting for a trickster. Then there was a man, near complete black attire, save for some accents of a deep purple. And lastly, a girl, his height, maybe even taller. She certainly had a more fitting appearance for this place compared to the other two.
“Ah, Shadow Milk Cookie. Welcome, welcome~” Eternal Sugar Cookie rushed forward, her wings outstretched, Pavlova Cookie trying to keep from having too much of a gap between him and her. The trickster got on one knee, holding Eternal Sugar Cookie’s wrist and pressing a kiss to the back of her hand.
“Eternal Sugar Cookie,” He greeted back, but Pavlova Cookie was already spacing out. He wasn’t all that used to speaking to others, the only one he spent time with really was Sugarfly Cookie, and he was sure they probably wouldn’t be anything like her. Though, he focused back on his surroundings and.. only saw the man.
“Ahah, Pavlova Cookie.” Eternal Sugar Cookie said, her tone indicating this wasn’t the first time she had said his name.
“Ah- y-yes?” Pavlova Cookie stumbled over his words, his face feeling hot and his blood being cold simultaneously.
“Could you please give our dear Black Sapphire Cookie a tour? And please, try and find Candy Apple Cookie while you’re at it.” She ordered with a tone as sweet as the sugar that made the majority of her dough. Pavlova Cookie looked around, but didn’t see the girl anywhere. However, stalling would only make her upset, so he began to lead Black Sapphire Cookie through the garden.
“That damned brat..” Black Sapphire Cookie grumbled, clearly irritated. Pavlova Cookie frowned softly, such bold language towards a lady.
“Candy Apple Cookie.. does she uhm.. do this often?” Pavlova Cookie asked, his wings flapping as he flew, trying not to seem too small to Black Sapphire Cookie.
“Very often.” Black Sapphire Cookie rolled his eyes with a scoff.
“She has a habit of throwing tantrums when things don’t go her way.” He elaborated, making Pavlova Cookie raise a brow.
“What upset her?” Pavlova Cookie asked.
“Our master, Shadow Milk Cookie. She’s.. ehm, obsessed. She doesn’t enjoy how much he likes your master.” Black Sapphire Cookie explained, the eye on his mic agreeing with him.
“She’s quite reckless— how.. big is this garden?” Black Sapphire Cookie asked, raising a brow.
“Not too big, i’m sure we could find her.” Pavlova Cookie smiled. Black Sapphire Cookie seemed reassured at that.
“How about we go look in different areas? The gardens aren’t that difficult to traverse,” He suggested. Black Sapphire Cookie agreed, and so they split up. The gardens felt a lot larger when you actually needed to find something, but Pavlova Cookie managed to fly high enough to see the clear rouge head accessories that Candy Apple Cookie wore. He dove down, seeing her sulking by one of the statues.
“Candy Apple Cookie!” Pavlova Cookie called out, seeing her head turn up to face him before looking downcast again.
“Go away!” She only shouted, turning away and kicking a pebble that was near her shoe.
“You worried your friend,” He frowned, slowly landing on the ground. She was taller, not by too much, but still a noticeable difference.
“Black Sapphire Cookie doesn’t care! I bet he’s glad i’m gone.” Candy Apple Cookie huffed, looking up at the statue of Eternal Sugar Cookie.
“Hmph, it’s HER fault he’s not mine!” She added accusingly, making Pavlova Cookie tilt his head.
“Eternal Sugar Cookie?” Pavlova Cookie asked, looking at her with wide, curious eyes.
“My darling, master Shadow Milk Cookie, is too focused on her to pay attention to me!” She hissed, glaring back at the statue.
“If she wasn’t around, I just know Shadow Milk Cookie would be mine!” Candy Apple Cookie shouted before sitting against the statue, holding back tears.
“Are you in love with Shadow Milk Cookie?” Pavlova Cookie asked, sitting next to her.
“More than anything! I would give my life for Shadow Milk Cookie!” She swooned, cupping her own cheeks with her hands.
“Love is such a beautiful thing,” Pavlova Cookie smiled.
“And I must say, I don’t think i’ve ever seen a soul as dedicated to love as you!” Pavlova Cookie said happily, seeing Candy Apple Cookie’s doll-like rosy cheek flush a slightly deeper hue.
“Well of course! I’m more dedicated to Shadow Milk Cookie than anyone else!” She said proudly, a cat-like smile on her lips.
“Well, it’s my job as a matchmaker to ensure happy couples! Perhaps I could help you with your love endeavors,” Pavlova Cookie offered, seeing her eyes shine.
“You’d be willing to help me get with Shadow Milk Cookie?!” Candy Apple Cookie asked, her face flushing a pink color.
“Of course I would!” Pavlova Cookie nodded, feeling an odd sense of happiness he hadn’t felt in a while. Perhaps it was just nice to speak to people other than Sugarfly Cookie and Eternal Sugar Cookie.
“I think a pretty face like yours is perfect with Shadow Milk Cookie,” he said, though only afterwards realized he may have worded it incorrectly when he saw her face turn redder.
“You think i’m pretty?” She asked, which in turn only made his face warm up. He’d be lying if he said she wasn’t, but then it’d be weird if he said she was, wouldn’t it?
“…No one says i’m pretty…” She said quietly, looking away.
“Well, if you think so then that just means Shadow Milk Cookie does too! He must be too embarrassed to tell me!” Candy Apple Cookie squealed and laughed, making Pavlova Cookie sigh in relief she didn’t take it the wrong way. She has a cute laugh, he wondered if every girl like her had a laugh just as cute.
“Candy Apple Cookie! There you are!” They both turned their head, seeing Black Sapphire Cookie rush up to them. He seemed just a bit out of breath.
“Master Shadow Milk Cookie says we’re leaving soon,” He said, making Candy Apple Cookie get up faster than what should humanly be possible.
“Oh perfect~!” She grinned, Black Sapphire Cookie already walking back to where Shadow Milk Cookie likely was waiting. Candy Apple Cookie was about to rush and follow him before she paused and looked back to Pavlova Cookie.
“I never asked your name, did I?” She asked, looking at him with bright eyes. He would have never guessed she was sulking by the statue he sat against just minutes ago.
“Pavlova Cookie..” Pavlova Cookie smiled, cheeks flushing slightly.
“Well, I hope to see you again, Pavlova Cookie!” She said with an expression so bright, he couldn’t help but grin as he got up.
“I hope to see you soon too, Candy Apple Cookie,” He smiled, watching as she ran off towards Black Sapphire Cookie and Shadow Milk Cookie. His smile fading as he slowly left. He went back to the main plaza of the garden where he saw Eternal Sugar Cookie, sitting lazily on a saccharine cloud.
“…Eternal Sugar Cookie?” Pavlova Cookie called out, seeing her open an eye tiredly.
“What’s it like to fall in love?” Though, he felt like he knew by now.