Chapter Text
Tapioca Pearl Cookie sighed. For hours, now, she had been hiding away from her coworkers in the gardens. She couldn't help it. Cream Berry Cookie frustrated her, Fondant Cookie only ever spoke about herself, and Rice Paper Cookie was just so judgmental. Despite her time slot ending an hour ago, she still sat in the vanilla gazebo, silently staring at the lilies gently swaying in the still afternoon sunlight.
She had been appointed as the Vanilla Kingdom's garden assistant, to tend to whenever the Ancient was busy-- and it seemed that he was, more and more often these days. Tapioca Pearl's empty watering can sat beside the pale biscuit bench, safe from the gentle sun's heat. Checking her watch, she decided it was about time to head back to her other duties: the other flower beds that decorated the main and second floors. The only problem? She'd likely get swept up in an unpleasant conversation.
As she headed downstairs, empty-handed, a call from behind alerted her to a wonderful reason why she should have taken the back stairwell. There stood Cream Berry Cookie. Speak of the devil. His light brown hair sagged just below his chin, and his smile seemed to only grow wider at the sight of her.
"Hey Tapioca Pearl!" He grinned, eyes lit with some kind of spark.
"...Cream Berry Cookie. What's up?" She replied, trying her best to shake the bitter disdain from her tone (it was challenging).
"Nothing, just saying hi. How are you?" He said, a little too quickly in some form of haste. Tapioca Pearl resisted the urge to raise an eyebrow.
"...I'm good. You?" She responded. It seemed as though an instance of bitterness seeped into her tone, and for a moment, Cream Berry Cookie looked not concerned, but something else. Confused? Annoyed?
"...Yeah. I'm good." Cream Berry muttered before walking away.
Whatever Tapioca Pearl Cookie had done, she had done it wrong. As she let the replay of the conversation linger in her mind (perhaps she had been too distantly polite), she realized with a start that she had left her watering can in the Ancient's personal garden. Shit. By that point, he had likely returned to the castle.
Despite Tapioca Pearl Cookie's presence as a castle maid, she had never met the Ancient in person. From what her coworkers said, he was kind, patient, and understanding. To be quite honest, she believed it was a facade to some extent-- no one can be kind all the time. Rumors also suggested that the King is quite attractive, though Tapioca Pearl wouldn't expect to agree, considering how subjective that sort of thing is.
As she climbed up the waffle-cone staircase, she deliberately avoided the Ancient's assistants-- the Neapolitan sisters, blonde, brunette, and pink respectively; though the trio barely noticed her in their organized rush to prepare for his upcoming presence. Not a great sign for her, she'd prefer to be in and out as quickly as possible. The small tapioca balls on her head bounced slightly as she jogged to the gardens, trying to be both quick and quiet.
Upon reaching the tranquil flowers, Tapioca Pearl darted behind a tall marble-cake column before confirming that the garden was empty. Quiet as a candle, she reached for and grabbed her watering can (as suspiciously light as it was), and just as fast as she had come, she left.
Trotting down the hall, Tapioca Pearl seemed a little less keen on staying stealthy, assuming that the King was already in his room, relaxing. Her brown plaid dress bounced in rhythm with her steps, and her eyes seemed almost as bright as the light through the stained-glass windows.
"Oh, Witches... What was I just going to do?" She mumbled to herself, momentarily pausing in her joyous expression. "Right. The rest of the flowers."
Tapioca Pearl found herself at the tall dining hall doors, holding her empty watering can anxiously and gently turning the chocolate doorknob. Without much of a look around the hall, she entered quietly and with intent in her pace. Find the sink, fill the watering can up, and leave for the next round of shrubbery. What failed to catch her eye was the long, quiet stare from the Ancient sitting alone at the head of the table.
Quick, in and out, just in and out of here was the only thought Tapioca Pearl Cookie bothered to repeat in her head. Out of the dining hall doors she walked, and down the long, winding corridor to the second-floor balcony. A windowbox of delicate yellow sunflowers sat outside, petals ruffling as though they were lace ribbons. A gentle shower of water should do. The crystal droplets fell mildly into the windowbox, the sound already putting Tapioca Pearl's thoughts at ease.
_-_-_
The benevolent sunshine began its descent, sky shifting from a creamy blue to a peachy orange, and Tapioca Pearl decided that perhaps she would enjoy a quick outing at the Crows' Nest Inn. Tonight would be a crowded night, and maybe she could simply watch as her coworkers' drama unfolded.
The pretzel street lamps that decorated the markets of the Vanilla Kingdom were lit up with the familiar colors of soft yellow candles (perhaps the spirits of fire were in a good mood that night), and as the door of the inn jingled open, more and more familiar faces began pouring in. One of which was accompanied by Tapioca Pearl Cookies' three best frenemies: Cream Berry Cookie, Fondant Cookie, and Rice Paper Cookie, the inseparable trio missing their fourth, unnecessary side piece.
Immediately, Fondant Cookie's sweet red eyes honed in on Tapioca Pearl, and she dragged the two others over to the biscuit table where she sat.
"Tapioca! There you are!" Fondant Cookie exclaimed, glad to see her. Tapioca Pearl smiled and nodded.
"Haven't seen you three recently. How's it been?" She asked, her smile widening. They aren’t bad all the time.
"Oh, my day's been terrible," Fondant Cookie gushed, "my mother's so critical of my job, you know?"
Tapioca's smile faltered ever so slightly. There go the floodgates. "Mhm?" She prompted.
"And of course she just had to guilt trip me into buying her something with the money I got last week from this." The red-haired Cookie continued in her complaint, brows furrowing as her voice grew more pronounced. "Oh, but I really should just shut up now, none of you guys really want to hear this anyway, I'm ruining the mood..."
Silently, Tapioca Pearl Cookie thanked the Witches. She wasn't in the mood for carrying whatever hidden emotional baggage that rant carried. Rice Paper Cookie sighed, clearly also glad this conversation had ended.
"I'm going to go get us some drinks. Anything specific?" Tapioca Pearl asked, sensing that maybe she should walk away while everyone moved on to some other topic.
"Bread for the table, too, maybe?" Rice Paper suggested, and Tapioca Pearl silently cursed herself for not thinking of that. Good idea. "That's it." He said dismissively.
Tapioca Pearl Cookie stepped through the crowded inn, feet quietly darting across the chocolate tiles of the floor. As she approached the bar, a sudden jingle of the door behind her caused a few inn patrons to gasp. Quickly, she swiveled her head around, only for her gaze to be met with the silhouette of the King himself. As the door closed, his features came into clear view.
And by the Witches, he was beautiful. His tan dough seemed to shine in the light of the inn. His blonde hair, pale as moonlight, flowed in the lingering breeze of the door slamming shut. His eyes, heavy-lidded and accompanied by long white lashes, were two different colors: ethereal yellow and blue, respectively, although he admittedly looked tired. His lips, pink as strawberries, curved in a smile as he approached the bartender. Pure Vanilla Cookie was divine, undoubtedly so, and Tapioca Pearl Cookie, in her surprise, wondered how she could have ever doubted the rumors. It seemed so clear now. How did she manage to score a job taking care of his personal gardens? Maybe the Witches are gazing upon me with favor, finally.
Tapioca Pearl didn't realize she was staring until he stood beside her, sharing a casual greeting with the bartender. As she averted her gaze, expression sheepish, she missed the lopsided glance she received from him.
_-_-_
"Rice Paper Cookie, Cream Berry Cookie, I have your drinks and the bre-- where's Fondant Cookie?" Tapioca Pearl Cookie paused, glancing quizzically at the empty seat.
"She's outside getting fresh air. I think the inn might've been too loud for her." Cream Berry explained, gesturing to the back door. Tapioca Pearl nodded, taking a seat at the table. As she placed the drinks and basket down, she took a piece of bread from the small basket and leaned forward.
"So... You were gone a little long. Did something happen?" Rice Paper asked.
Cream Berry coughed, and he glanced mischievously at Tapioca Pearl. Immediately, Tapioca Pearl's eyes widened, and she glared at him. "Did you--!?" Her face reddened yet again.
"I didn't say anything." He grinned at her. It was obvious that he saw her admiring a certain Ancient cookie.
"I wasn't- you- what did you even see?" Tapioca Pearl pressed her fingers against the bridge of her nose, happening to lift her glasses a slight bit above her face.
"I saw you standing right next to Pure Vanilla Cookie, totally checking him out." He teased, wiggling his eyebrows for effect.
"I was not! He just-- he was just standing there! It caught me off guard. Plus, no one even says 'checking someone out' anymore."
"Oh, c'mon now! Don't gotta hide it from your buddies, eh?" Before Tapioca Pearl could retort, Cream Berry Cookie stood up abruptly, yanking on her arm and dragging her towards the front door.
"Where are you-?" Tapioca Pearl yelped, before abruptly shutting her mouth upon the sight of a certain Cookie. Pure Vanilla Cookie had turned to look for the sound of the squeal, his shimmering golden and cerulean eyes meeting her dark chocolate-brown eyes. For a moment, everything seemed to slow down. His expression was one of surprise, his milky gaze settling on her face.
Tapioca Pearl Cookie’s eyes drifted to his staff, which also seemed to be staring intently at her. Her mind darted back to a conversation she overheard recently, some maids recounting how the Ancient was “a little visually impaired” (so they quoted) and that he couldn’t see clearly without his staff.
Without much consideration, her lips tilted upward into a smile, before Cream Berry Cookie dragged her out the door as time seemed to resume its normal pace.
“Cream Berry Cookie!” Tapioca Pearl shouted. “Where are we going?!”
Cream Berry and Tapioca Pearl stood in the cold night air outside the inn. “We’re looking for Fondant Cookie. Maybe she’ll be able to give you some advice for your little… crush.”
“I don’t have a crush on Pure Vanilla Cookie! I just got caught off guard, is all. Plus, we have never formally met!” Tapioca Pearl protested. In all honesty, she really didn’t have any attraction to him. It’s one thing to find someone beautiful, sure, but attraction? No way. She was certain that he was hiding behind some form of facade of eternal patience, after all, aren’t we all?
Fondant Cookie sat at the biscotti-style table outside the Inn, clearly a table designated for outdoor dining. She was stretching her legs, long and thin, as though she had been cooped up in a small room. Cream Berry Cookie triumphantly strolled over to where she sat, Tapioca Pearl Cookie following close behind.
“Hey, guys,” Fondant sighed, “what’s up?” She looked a little tired. Tapioca Pearl was about to explain when Cream Berry Cookie destroyed all hopes of keeping her dignity alive.
“Tapioca Pearl has a crush on Pure Vanilla Cookie.” He announced as he placed a hand on his hip, seemingly proud of himself.
Tapioca Pearl Cookie’s mental gears snapped into place: she had to put her best “poker face” on. Because even though she truly didn’t have a crush on Pure Vanilla, the teasing embarrassed her enough.
“Nah, just seeing the King caught me off guard. Looked like I was staring, though.” Her performance was almost flawless. In the dark of night, streets illuminated by the dim street lamps, it was terribly difficult to see the heat creeping up on her tan skin. For that, she was thankful.
_-_-_
As Tapioca Pearl Cookie lay dead-tired in her bed, her languid thoughts wandered beyond her grasp, straying into forbidden territory she knew all too well not to explore. Tan skin. Golden-blue mismatched irises. Pale blonde hair. Your boss is an Ancient cookie. That’s insane.
Maybe it was late-night weariness, but Tapioca Pearl had a sense that somehow, things would only escalate from here.