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The familiar blue-greens of the surrounding forests of the Hollyberry Kingdom were definitely a sight for sore eyes as Hollyberry stared out at them. It felt like coming home after winning a long battle, one that could’ve lasted for many years with neither side coming with the foresight to end it before too many lives were lost. Most battles were like that, and Hollyberry had experienced many in her long years of living. Though the one in that Garden had almost resulted in her own undoing, leaving her kingdom without a protector, a king without his mother, not that the two of them really interacted all that often. She’d found herself caught in a trap, lured in by the sweetest moth that Hollyberry had ever seen in her many years.
The moth had been after her Soul Jam, Hollyberry knew of this, and she’d almost succeeded in that endeavour, playing the part of a lowly Cookie who had fallen in love with her, the part where she had failed was in that Hollyberry was all too familiar with the concept of falling in love. Falling in love just comes with the territory of being in possession of the Light of Passion. With Love, comes Passion, it’s only natural. And yet, Eternal Sugar had seemed unaware of that. She had seemingly deluded herself into a sort of attachment that Hollyberry didn’t reciprocate. That Hollyberry couldn’t reciprocate, if not for the fact she’d found herself not attached at all, then for the fact it would have been a betrayal.
A betrayal of a friend, of a lover, that Eternal Sugar would have been unaware of, for of all the tactics the Beast had used, she’d forgotten the one who would’ve had more of an impact. She’d forgotten about the one closest to her, the one that Hollyberry had spent many years fighting against, where it had at first been antagonistic before slowly morphing into something jovial between the two, and then eventually evoking feelings that the one hadn’t even realized they could feel. For Eternal Sugar had been unaware that such a creature could even exist in amongst Cookie, as to her, they were just creatures, right? At least, Hollyberry surmised as much.
Plus, winning the heart of a Dragon was something Hollyberry had decided was one of Passion’s gifts.
Hollyberry felt herself smile as she thought about Pitaya. The Dragon had such a penchant for battling that she was almost upset that they hadn’t started their sparring adventures sooner. Pitaya got excited during battling as Hollyberry did herself, and looking back on it, it was almost inevitable that the two would end up forming the connection that they did. There was something so fun about friends finding something in common, wasn’t there? Plus, while Hollyberry had always been particularly confident when it came to her own emotions, and feelings while Pitaya had taken a little while to understand theirs, citing that they weren’t used to emotions such as this, which was perfectly understandable, as Hollyberry didn’t really know all that much about dragons besides what Pitaya told her.
If Eternal Sugar had known about Pitaya, Hollyberry might have very well caved, so she was thankful for that at the very least.
“Hollyberry, you’re holding us up,” said a voice to the side of her, practically emotionless. Though then the voice sounded again, sounding more amused and warm. “I’m sure Mottled Tropical Cocktail is waiting for you,” the voice said, the slightly annoyed tone in it bringing an amused smile to her face, and she threw Wildberry a look.
“You’re still calling them that are you?” She said with a slight chuckle. He looked back at her with a small shrug and looked away. Hollyberry smirked and she brought her hand up to her mouth in a false hm, and giggled. “Well then, answer me this Wildberry. Raspberry was telling me that you two ran into that meringue fairy back there, and what’s this I hear about being too afraid to someone your feelings ? You have a lover, hm?” Wildberry stopped dead and stared at her in disbelief, though Hollyberry watched as his cheeks darkened and he stiffly looked away.
“I get it, I won’t call them that anymore, I get it,” Wildberry responded awkwardly, causing Hollyberry to burst out laughing. “A-Anyways. We should be reaching the kingdom soon.”
“That wasn’t an attempt to stop you from calling them that,” Hollyberry hummed, smiling. “I’m genuinely curious.” Wildberry didn’t say anything for the rest of the trip and just continued walking, though Hollyberry could tell that he was still blushing. Either way, she didn’t press it and continued walking onward. Tiger Lily left the group a little bit after that going to rejoin her butter tiger’s family and the group thanked her for her help, before continuing the journey.
It wasn’t long before the hot pink buildings of the Hollyberry kingdom came into view and Hollyberry sighed in recognition. How good it felt to finally be home in the kingdom. A cool breeze was blowing throughout the kingdom as well, causing her loose hair to blow in the wind, and it felt freeing, like she was no longer held down by the ties of the Garden of Sloth. She gazed around at the surroundings and noticed a head of pale red and red hair disappear behind a bush, reminiscent of the meringue fairy’s but she thought nothing of it, as it could very well be a Cookie from the village playing hide and seek.
Ignoring that Cookie, she took a few steps into the streets of the kingdom and almost immediately, Cookies emerged out of every nook and cranny as if Hollyberry had been gone for years despite it only really being a few days and weeks, and soon enough, a cacophony of voices and questions were suddenly shouted at her and she was having a hard time focusing on one to address. It seemed like every Cookie in the gathered crowd had valid questions but she wasn’t quite sure where to begin, or even how to begin, as how exactly would she explain it to the people?
Suddenly a trio of white wolves stood in front of the crowd, and Hollyberry noticed Wildberry suddenly morph himself into the crowd as if scared. “I’m sure you’re all very curious, but give the Hollyberry Kingdom’s queen a moment,” said the Cookie standing behind the wolves and Hollyberry recognized him as one of Dark Cacao’s subjects, and gave him a nod. She wasn’t quite sure why Crunchy Chip was here, but she was grateful. “All calmed down now?” He asked and the crowd didn’t respond. Then, he turned toward Hollyberry and bowed. “They’re ready for you now, Your Majesty.” Hollyberry nodded and stepped onto the crier’s podium in the middle of the street, the crowd following her.
“Citizens! I’m sure you’re all very glad to see me,” she began. “It must seem like forever since you have and I must apologize for that. I found myself involved in a battle that I could not easily pull myself away from. This foe had used tactics that I’m unfamiliar with and I almost lost myself in the process. But fear not! I have defeated this threat to the best of my ability. I could never leave my subjects without knowing that they’re safe and-“ Hollyberry’s eyes caught the sheen of something red on the ground, and then something green with the same sheen, creating a pattern of red and green on the floor.
Scales.
Red and green scales.
Pitaya.
It was then that she noticed the remnants of white hairs scattered across the streets, and that some flags were torn as if Pitaya’s spikes had gotten caught on them. From her new vantage point, she could also see that Crunchy Chip wasn’t the only visitor scattered among the streets. There was Caramel Arrow, Elder Faerie among others from the further kingdoms, and that… mixed with the scales and hair scattered about…
Hollyberry had gotten to know Pitaya a lot over the years, whether through their sparring sessions or through their friendly chats or even more intimate moments, and she knew well of how their emotions manifested. The Dragon was always more physical when it came to their emotions, whether they be sadness, anger, projection or… worry and stress. Feelings of love were one of the softer ways that Pitaya’s emotions manifested, mainly because they had been not used to them, but they were still obvious, and Hollyberry hadn’t been oblivious to them either, despite not making that known. Pitaya was shy when it came to love in the best of ways. But this… carnage… of scales and hair, of distant extra help, of torn flags, all told Hollyberry one thing.
Pitaya was stressed. And quite possibly worried.
As stress was one of the many things Pitaya couldn’t hide.
A pang in her heart, as she realized this, going quiet in front of the crowd. While it hadn’t been her fault, her disappearing so suddenly must’ve caused the dragon so much stress and one thing was for certain…
Pitaya doesn’t handle stress well
If anything, it brings out the worst side of it.
Last time she’d disappeared without a trace, it had ruled over her kingdom with an iron fist, and though the Pitaya back then was different from the Pitaya of now (they had softened over the years, though they had tried to deny it), it was still a perfect example of them having a hard time handling stress
Though, this revelation made her smile. If last time that she’d disappeared caused such a reaction, it’s no wonder that Pitaya hadn’t worked out that they had an attachment to her. But she couldn’t really know the truth really.
“I’m sure you’re all very curious to know as to why this battle was so long fought, but I’m afraid I will have to disappoint you this time, as there’s someone I’d like reunite with personally. So if you would let me do that in peace, I would like to thank you.” She straightened up and then looked back at the crowd. “If you do find yourself with burning questions I ask that you relay them to Wildberry, he should be able to answer most of them.” Crunchy Chip tilted his head from where he’d been stroking the chin of one of his wolves.
“Wildberry is here?” He asked, though the tone in his voice made Hollyberry raise her eyebrow. “I have… a message from the Dark Cacao Kingdom to give him, so I’ll be taking my leave. I hope you get to reunite with your someone.” One the wolves cocked its head at Crunchy Chip and the one he had been stroking lifted its head curious, the third one sniffing the ground as if it knew what to do. The third wolf then howled and the four of them raced off, Crunchy Chip slipping something out of a pocket in the process.
After that display, the crowd dispersed as the wolves started weaving their way into the crowd, trying to find out where Wildberry had gone, while Hollyberry left the podium and started making her way towards the castle in the upper hills of the kingdom, waving at every Cookie she saw as she walked through the village, merely a friendly gesture and made her way to the castle. On the way there, she saw the head of red and pale red again but it quickly vanished as soon as it appeared.
It wasn’t long before she arrived the castle gates at the entrance and both of the guards standing outside regarded her with surprise, and seemingly, relief. “You don’t know how glad we are to see you back, Queen Mother,” said the one, while the other nodded in agreement.
“We don’t mean to cast judgement on your choices either,” said the second one. “But that Dragon friend of yours has been particularly infuriating. They’ve been consistently pacing back and forth, they’re shedding everywhere causing the cleaners to throw a fit, and they’re refusing to leave.” Hollyberry shot the guard a look and he scrambled to explain himself but she brought up her hand to prevent him from doing so.
“You claim to not cast judgement upon them,” she repeated. “And yet you also claim that they refuse to leave? Is that not a way of casting judgement? When I have stated in clear words that Pitaya is welcome in the castle any time they wish to be? Though, I do suppose that them acting that way is my fault, I’m the one who disappeared without warning or even a word. It’s only fair that they would be. Though funny that you would phrase it as such, that it’s my ‘friend’.” She smiled. “Surely you cannot be oblivious to the truth now can you? For, I’ll leave you with this question, where do you think Mistletoe came from, hm?”
“Mistletoe?” The guard repeated, confused, as if he’d never heard the name before. “Miss, what are you talking about?” Hollyberry chuckled a bit before starting to walk into the castle grounds.
“Only the Hollyberry Kingdom’s best kept secret!” She joked in response, before leaving.
The castle walls seemed to welcome her as walked throughout them, the servants she did encounter regarding her with a quiet awe and subservience, Hollyberry giving them a hearty yet friendly smile in return, but she had no time to chat. She’d even caught sight of Jungleberry trying on a new dress with a seamstress, and her eyes had widened once she noticed her, though she said nothing, much too focused on the dress to really discuss anything. But it was no matter, and Hollyberry continued on.
She encountered more servants as she walked past the servant chambers and noticed one whisper to the other before racing off to go and do something or whatever they had to do. It was a sight she was all too used to. The servants had loved gossiping whenever they heard about her sparring with Pitaya, and Hollyberry had found herself amused at how true those rumours had turned out to be, what with, them coming together as a couple which hadn’t been a well kept secret at very least. Not like Mistletoe at the very least. Mistletoe was in fact real, and had been kept secret in case anything bad would happen, based on what Pitaya had told her about the other Dragons. But enough about secrets.
As Hollyberry neared the ceremony hall, a commotion from inside sounded and suddenly a red snout was pushed into her face. “Ssstate your busssiness ssstranger,” the voice growled, smoke escaping out of its nostrils. “Thisss cassstle belongsss to the Hollyberry Kingdom, and Hollyberry. Ssstate what you are doing in the cassstle. Now.” Hollyberry gazed into Pitaya’s eyes, as the Dragon clearly hadn’t recognized her. Pitaya’s gaze gave way to surprise and softened ever so slightly, and it backed away ever so slightly, still on their guard. “Ssstate… your busssiness…” Hollyberry let out a little chuckle, and looked at them.
“Now is that any way to greet your friend, hm? Or your lover perhaps, hm? Personally I’d say not, Dragon ,” she hummed out, emphasizing the dragon and placing her hand on Pitaya’s snout. “Do we need engage in those sparring matches you so love? Hm?” Recognition flashed across Pitaya’s eyes and they leapt at her, changing into their Cookie form half way through and brought her into a hug, causing the two of them to fall on the ground, Hollyberry’s back falling hard on the armor that now adorned her.
“H-Hollyberry…” Pitaya murmured into her chest, their tail flicking back and forth against Hollyberry’s leg. “H-Hollyberry… you’re back.” Hollyberry smiled to herself, and freed her arms to lift Pitaya’s head off of her chest, drawing a small crowd, but she didn’t really care. She looked up at them, and their eyes grew curious.
“Yes, I’m back, you old Lizard,” she chuckled. “Missed me?” Pitaya sat up and looked away, Hollyberry chuckling in response.
“No, of courssse I know you would come back, you alwaysss do.” Hollyberry turned her head and looked at them.
“That doesn’t mean you didn’t miss Pitaya. Knowing that I’d return doesn’t mean you didn’t miss me. I mean, if the last time I disappeared was any indication,” she said with a smile, causing Pitaya to look away in embarrassment.
“I wasss wondering where my sssparring partner went, back then. It wasss nothing more. I’ve told you thisss.”
“Pitaya, you’ve tried this before, and did I believe you?”
“Well, no, but-“
“Exactly.” Pitaya rolled their eyes. “Anyways, the point is, I’m back.” Hollyberry picked herself up off of the floor, and brushed dust off of the armor, Pitaya seeming to finally realize that she’d changed. Their eyes widened a little and traveled all over her as if taking everything in.
“You’ve changed.”
“Ah yes, the consequence of a long fought battle I’m afraid. My foe had trapped me in some sort of dreamlike state and nearly undid me. But there was one thing that she didn’t account for. But, I managed to break through the spell at the very last minute. It was actually the result of my Soul Jam, funnily enough. Were you aware that it was possible? It’s happened to the others too, but I can’t be sure exactly why it happens.” Pitaya didn’t appear to be listening, as it was running its claws down Hollyberry’s loose hair, the claws of its other hand stroking through its own hair. Then one of its hands stopped stroking and reached out to touch Hollyberry’s armor, basically the same shade as its scales. “I’m aware it’s probably a shock to you to see me like this, you almost never see me in armor, or with my hair down, but I fear it’s something you’ll just have to get used to, but one thing I-“
“You’re beautiful.” It was said so suddenly, and so clearly that for the first time in a while, Hollyberry felt herself blush. Such clear declarations were extremely rare for Pitaya so hearing it here was surprising, and rousing an emotion in her that she felt glad to feel again if anything at all. Her chest was throbbing in that good way, that had her smiling in that genuinely flustered way, and Pitaya was now caressing their hand through her mane of hair. It was soothing in a way that Hollyberry melting into the touch, smiling.
She almost wondered if the Soul Jam had adorned her in such an outfit because of Pitaya, because if anything she was closer in looks to Pitaya than Eternal Sugar at all in the armor she currently in.
Like the Soul Jam had known that her heart had already been captured and whatever Eternal Sugar had deluded herself into thinking couldn’t have been reciprocated.
“Do you really think that?” Hollyberry asked earnestly and not in a shy way, almost as of challenging Pitaya in her question, the Dragon gazed at her and then smiled.
“You’re asss beautiful asss the day I lost you the firssst time,” they muttered quietly, and Hollyberry burst out laughing placing her head on Pitaya’s chest.
“So you do admit it, you Lizard!” Pitaya rolled their eyes and huffed.
“You know I’m not good at emotionsss Dragon’s are unfamiliar with. Being in love is one of thossse, I’m afraid.” Pitaya looked at her. “Though, the loose hair is new. It seems to make you more beautiful to me for some reason. I can’t figure out why.”
“Hm, do dragons have some sort of mating ritual that involves bigger crests? Or manes, or something to that effect?”
“I’m not sssure, asss I’m not really in love with a dragon, now am I?” They cupped Hollyberry’s cheek. “I’m in love with a Cookie, of all thingsss. A Cookie that makesss me feel thingsss that a dragon ssshouldn’t. And yet ssssomehow, I ssstill fell for one.”
“Well, if it’s anything, it sure adds fire to theory that Dragons can fall for Cookies, hm?”
“It’sss unheard of, and yet…”
“Hm?”
“A dragon did. And dragonsss mate for life.” Pitaya looked at her. “You know, I’ve heard about that foe you were facing… Ananas hasss mentioned them… Eternal Sssugar… Sssloth. How exactly did ssshe nearly undo you?” Pitaya’s voice had darkened and they were practically glaring.
“She tried to get to know me, via manipulating me by pretending to be in love with me. She tried every avenue she could to try and break me, from showing me visions of people I know dying by her hand. But they were just visions. But they felt so real, though one thing that never came up, that Eternal Sugar hadn’t managed to get her hands on. The final piece that just might have broken me, the final boss of my cold, cold heart.” Pitaya’s eyes widened and they gazed at her, eyes sparkling slightly.
“Me?”
“Part of the reason she failed was that there was no piece left to take. Not even a snip of something substantial, and I somewhat pity her. She’d been lying to herself for so long that it had become something real to her. An obsession borne of desperation. A one-sided hope of a mere delusion. An obsession, not a real love, that had no chance of reciprocation for one single fact.” Hollyberry turned toward Pitaya and smiled. She glanced over at the window only to see what looked the meringue fairy that had been a resident of the Garden, but then vision was over as soon as it appeared. “The Hollyberry Kingdom is one of Romance and Passion,” she declared out loud to the gathered people. “Where relationships come and go with nary a thought or two but…”
“But this Hollyberrian, ‘mates for life’.”