Chapter Text
Dark Cacao strolled down the dark worn chocolate stone path into the forest of cacao pod trees, holding his sword against his right side and a big woven basket cradled in his left arm.
A soft white layer of white snow covered the ground and hung in the trees like a giant blanket from the sky, making a scenery that was as beautiful as the stories told to his people. Cacao pods ranging from a striking green to a deep red, sometimes purple, hung from the trees, some of them looking ripe enough to be harvested.
Dark Cacao veered from the path and walked towards a grand cacao tree, standing tall and regal. Fond memories came back to him, from when he just started ruling the Dark Cacao kingdom. He remembered gathering the pods from this specific tree when he made dinner for his friends when they visited him after his crowning.
That was a night he would never forget.
After a moment of reminiscing, Dark Cacao returned his focus to what he came here for: harvesting ripe cacao pods. Adjusting the basket so that he had it held in front of him, he gently tapped the pods with his hands, checking to see which ones were ripe and which ones weren't, just like how he was taught when he was a young cookie. The ones he found to be ripe, he separated them from the tree with his sword, being careful not to damage the tree, and put them in his basket. After a while of harvesting from the grand tree, he shifted to other trees, harvesting the cacao pods he could get until his basket was full.
Turning around, Dark Cacao prepared to start returning back to the Citadel when he noticed a cacao pod that seemed too small to be ripe, but was reddish brown like a ripe cacao pod. Tapping it with his hand, he realized that it was indeed ripe and ready for harvesting. After removing it from the tree with his sword, he put it in his coat instead of putting it in the basket with the others.
This one was going to be special.
He planned to use it for his child’s first treat.
—
Returning back to the citadel, he balanced the basket between his sword and his arm as he walked down the halls and into his room. As he walked by, Cacaoian warriors stopped and bowed slightly before going back to his duties. Some of them looked a bit confused at him carrying the basket of cacao pods, but none of them said anything, and just continued on.
When Dark Cacao entered his room, he set his sword on a side of the wall and pulled out a stool to set the basket on top of it, steadying it so that there was no chance of it toppling over. Pulling out a couple baskets from underneath his bed, he started sorting the cacao beans into those baskets. One basket would go into storage with the cacao pods already in there, one basket would be given to the kitchen staff, one basket would have the cacao pods that would be made into chocolate, and the rest would be for his child.
The cacao pod he put in his coat, Dark Cacao took it out and set it on the desk, wanting to save it for later. Afterwards, he brushed any loose debris from the large woven basket he brought into the room before putting it under the bed. Taking the basket meant for the kitchen staff, he left the room and went down into the kitchen room.
A couple of kitchen staff were in there preparing some meals for the watchers, but it wasn't as crowded as it usually was. Setting the basket on a counter near the entrance, Dark Cacao went on his way back to his room.
On his way however, someone walked up to him.
“Your majesty!” A young adult cookie exclaimed, his voice slightly strained
He was wearing an outfit that showed that he was an artisan/merchant from one of the Chocolate Villages, but his outfit was also decorated with extra little trinkets. Some examples of those trinkets were peppermint flowers, white chocolate drizzle, and raspberry bits. His hair was also coated in some more white chocolate drizzle, zigzagging across his scalp. The style of the bow at his hip and his trinkets showed that this cookie had made them himself.
Dark Cacao turned to look at this young cookie, his face cold but not stern.
“Choco Bark.” Dark Cacao spoke, “What brings you here?”
Choco Bark straightened up, keeping his posture straight in front of the king, “Well, I was wondering if anyone’s weapons are in need of repair, or if any of the Watchers needed any of their weapons replaced. I have some new weapons that I made.”
“Mmmm…” Dark Cacao thought to himself, “The Citadel does not require any weapon repairs or replacements at the time.”
Choco Bark nodded his head, slightly disappointed but not upset, “I understand. Just wanted to check in. Have a good day, your Majesty.”
Dark Cacao nodded back. He was about to turn and go to his room when he got an idea.
“Choco Bark, you're a craftsman of things other than weapons as well, am I right?”
Choco Bark’s eyes seemed to brighten at the question, “Oh yes sir! I make many kinds of things!”
Dark Cacao paused, formulating what he wanted to say next in his head. He wasn't so sure of making this request, but something inside him made him think that this would be beneficial later.
“Do you make items… for freshly baked cookies?”
The question caught Choco Bark off guard a bit, but he kept his composure, “Well it's not my field of expertise, but I have made some for neighbors in my village.”
“Hmm…” Dark Cacao continued to think, “I would like for you to fashion some of those and deliver them to the Citadel within two months. Is that good for you?”
“Uh-” Choco Bark stared at the king, reacting he was just offered the Soul Jam of Resolution right then and there, “I… I could probably do it within the allotted time span.”
Dark Cacao had noticed the confusion and curiosity in Choco Bark’s eyes, silently wondering why he was asking this favor. He said nothing however, just watching Choco Bark’s eyes shift from curiosity, to realization, to shock, and finally, to understanding.
Choco Bark silently nodded, realizing the importance of this, “I’ll get to it right away! Anything for the…” He trailed off, adjusting his trinkets, “I’ll start immediately.”
“Good.” Dark Cacao spoke, “Do not worry, you will be rewarded for a job well done.”
Choco Bark nodded quickly and started walking away, almost having a spring in his step as he left.
As soon as Choco Bark rounded the corner, Dark Cacao also turned to leave, finally returning to his room.
Once Dark Cacao re-entered his room, he took the basket of cacao pods that were set to go into the storage and put it outside his door for someone to pick it up. Turning to look at the remaining two baskets, he decided to revise his plan slightly. Since what he wanted for both baskets had the same beginning process, he would combine them and prepare them. Any parts that were overripe he would collect and give to… probably the kitchen staff again.
Tying his hair back into a big ponytail, Dark Cacao set everything up, and started the preparations. He broke open the first cacao pod, letting the white insides fall into the metal bowl. Sorting through the pulp/beans, Dark Cacao thought about why he was doing this. Once they were finished, they would be used as ingredients in the creation of his child…
As he thought about the end goal, Dark Cacao could almost feel a smile coming in.
‘I can't wait to meet you, my child…’ He thought to himself, ‘I wonder what you will be like?’