Chapter Text
“Cand- I mean, Apple Faerie Cookie, wait!”
“KYA HAHAHA! Keep up, Purple Grape Cookie!!”
“Grrr... This damn brat...”
Two cookies are running through the tree-lined streets of the Fairy Kingdom. The younger one, Apple Faerie, is deceptively fast, her little legs ensuring she keeps a considerable distance between her and the older cookie chasing her. His hair is disheveled from all the running, some of the grapes on his clothes have even slipped off!
“Haa... Stop... Aaahh...” The purple cookie comes to a stop, hunching over himself and trying to catch his breath.
“Hm? Come on, you slowpoke! I won't wait for you everytime!” The smaller cookie dressed in green returns to the side of her taller... “friend”...
“You little...” He raises his hand as if about to knock her over the head, but drops his arm, overcome by exhaustion. “Look, we're causing a scene!” He says, looking around at the mildly confused and worried fairy cookies.
“Pfft, so what?”
Purple Grape Cookie leans in to whisper conspiratorally in Apple Faerie Cookie's ear, making sure no other cookie is able to hear what they talk about.
“Sooo... Master Shadow Milk gave us this mission, and if you get us found out and we're kicked out of this stupid kingdom, he'll not only be terribly upset, he might just stop trusting us with these missions entirely!”
It's a little dramatic, sure, but the threat has the intended effect on Apple Faerie, who seems to freeze up at the mention of Shadow Milk Cookie. A certain wide eyed stare appears on her face as if seriously contemplating the consequences of failing this mission.
“... Argh, ok ok, I'll stop running off! Now let's just go already!”
“That's better.”
The two now walk side by side through the illuminated streets. They still stick out, since most fairy cookies prefer using their wings to get around. The two pretend not to notice the multiple sets of eyes following their every move. Feels just like home!
“Gah, these foolish cookies... They really set me off! So high and mighty, with their stupid bug wings...” Apple Faerie kicks a rock that travels and hits a poor bystander.
“I understand how you feel. But that's why it will feel all the better when we drown them in doubt and confusion~”
“Hihihi, yes it will~”
The pair make their way to a nearby bench to rest for a bit and go over their plan once more.
“Ahh... We've been walking forEVER!”
“Maybe if you'd stop running away you wouldn't be so exhausted...” Apple Faerie kicks Purple Grape Cookie's leg at the sly remark “OW! You brat, I should just-”
“Ah-Ah! We don't wanna cause a scene now, do we?”
“Grr... Whatever. You still remember the plan?”
“Obviously I wouldn't forget Master Shadow Milk's genius plan~ But, uhh... You can recap, just to make sure...”
“Of course... Well.”
Purple Grape Cookie retrieves a small map of the Fairy Kingdom from his pocket, unfurling it over his legs. It's quite crude and handdrawn, since no official maps of the Fairy Kingdom exist. It's not exactly a popular tourist destination... Just to get in, Apple Faerie had to fool some patrol guards into believing she was just a little fairy who traveled too far and got lost in the big forest surrounding the kingdom with her brother. That's not true, of course...
In reality, Apple Faerie Cookie is none other than Candy Apple Cookie, a loyal servant of the Beast of Deceit, and the same goes for Black Sapphire Cookie, currently masquerading as a young fairy with the alias of Purple Grape Cookie. They need these disguises to get in and spread chaos in the Fairy Kingdom. And they need to do that cuz... Well, isn't it just terribly entertaining? Seeing all those little cookies turn on eachother with just one, well-crafted lie... Fun, so much fun!
Black Sapphire points to a circled spot on the map, a big building subtitled “Librarby”
“First stop, the library... Wait, did you mispell library-”
“Just get on with it, geez...”
“... Right... Well, after we infiltrate the li-bra-ry” Black Sapphire enunciates his words condescendingly “I'll get to making some... editorial changes on the history books. Meanwhile, you can put your artistic skills to the test.”
“Oooo, I get to draw Master Shadow Milk all over the place~”
“Be a bit more subtle. Change some portraits, switch some busts... After all, the best shows have a little mystery to them! Now, to the library!”
“Oh, are you two heading to the library too?”
Startled, Black Sapphire whips his head around, and is shocked by the presence of a fairy cookie standing just besides the bench. Damn, had they been found out? They can't fail their plan, they haven't even started it yet, and it was an absolute headache to get here in the first place!
Upon closer inspection though, the intruding fairy seems completely oblivious. He offers a gentle smile and a tilt of his head. Clearly he hadn't heard them. Ok, phew! Time for Black Sapphire to practice some of his charm he so often prides himself in.
“Why, yes-”
“Ooo, you're pretty! You're like, exactly my brother's type~”
“What.”
“O-Oh, well, thank you, I'm flattered!”
What. What? What is she doing?? Is this some type of convoluted plan? Is she trying to get close to this random fairy? For what? Is she just doing this for the sake of lying or-
Black Sapphire turns to face Candy Apple and... she's grinning ear to ear, side eyeing him. Oh. This is what it is. Alright, if this is the game she wants to play... If she expects him to panic or get flustered, then she's gravely mistaken!
“Well, I must say, you are quite the beautiful flower~” Black Sapphire stands up, gazing down into the fairy cookie's eyes as he tucks some of his silver hair behind his pointed ear. “May we get a name for the handsome cookie?” Black Sapphire can already see the other cookie blushing. Too easy. No cookie can resist his charms after all-
*SLAP*
“H-How rude!”
“Huh.”
Black Sapphire holds his hand up to his face, hovering over the stinging pain on his cheek. What... just happened?.. Had this... puny cookie just dared hit him?
“To touch a fairy cookie's ear like that... Hmph! It's simply unacceptable!”
“KYA HA HA!”
Black Sapphire's eyes widen with rage, his pupils narrowing and locking on to the cookie that had just struck him. How dare! This face was made for television! Why, he oughta...
Deep breaths... They're deep into enemy territory. As much as he wants to give this cookie a piece of his mind... If they wanna leave uncrumbled, they had best lay low. Play it safe. He shoots a look at Candy Apple, immediately silencing her laughs and earning him a mumbled “meanie” and then returns his attention to the matter at hand. Time to put on the performance of a lifetime.
“... Why, I'm terribly sorry for the disrespect~” Black Sapphire kneels down, taking the other's hand in his “You see, I was simply too distracted by your beauty... I failed to take into account how I might be coming off as rude.” He can hear Candy Apple stiffling her laughter behind him.
“W-Well... I-It's no excuse! I am a proud knight of the Faerie Kingdom, I'll have you know!”
Oh, he's proud alright... Black Sapphire hates to put himself down like this. Right now he wants nothing more than to send this pathetic cookie flying, or put him through some fun... “activities” that Black Sapphire could record (His encounter with that silly cookie of Truth a few days before had really opened his eyes to some unique types of torture he could experiment with!)
He bites his tongue. The mission is more important. Their master had to hide away for a while so it was up to them to spread Deceit! Focus, Black Sapphire, focus!
“And I thank you for your service...” Black Sapphire pauses, cueing the other cookie to give him a name.
“Silverbell... Silverbell Cookie, archer of the Faerie Kingdom army.”
“A beautiful name too~” It would come mighty handy if they ever needed a scapegoat as well...
“Y-You can quit the honeyed words...” Silverbell's lavender dough is blushing a much deeper purple, clearly affected by all the sweet talk.
“Of course... Would you like to accompany us to the library? I'd love to be joined by someone with a few more brains than my sister~”
“HEY!”
“Well, I... I guess I'm going there anyway, so...”
“Perfect! Then we can get going. Apple Faerie Cookie?” He turns to Candy Apple, who's staring daggers at him. “Help our friend here by carrying his bow.”
“O-Oh that's not necessary, really!
“Yeah, he can carry it himself, why should I-” Black Sapphire winks, and Candy Apple realizes his mischievous intentions. “Oh. Ooooh. Yes, sir, please! Allow me to take that off your hands...”
“Sir? H-Hey!” Before Silverbell can protest, Candy Apple is already snatching his bow away “That's--”
“Don't worry, I'm veeeeery careful~” She says, balancing the bow on just one finger.
“...”
Black Sapphire places his hand behind Silverbell, pushing him along as they begin walking towards their destination. Candy Apple carefully carries the silver bow in front of them... No trickery at all...
The three walk, (well, more like two walk, and one flies), through Lily Street in relative silence, the library not too far in the distance. Silverbell is the first one to strike up conversation.
“So... Are you two... new around here?”
“Now what type of silly question is that? We both know no outsiders can enter the Faerie Kingdom, isn't that right?”
“Y-Yes, of course! I thought maybe you could be from the villages in the outskirts maybe... So... What... What happened to your wings?” Silverbell looks down at the slack fairy wings that “Purple Grape Cookie” sports.
“Our wings?”
“A-Ah, sorry, is that personal? I'm sorry, I shouldn't have asked...”
“No, no, it's fine...”
This cookie really does fluster easily, huh? Cute... Wait, cute? No, that's not what Black Sapphire was thinking, that's not cute at all! It's, well... Useful! Yes, that's what it is, a useful attribute that Black Sapphire could take advantage of!
“You see, we were attacked by wild beasts when we were younger, and our wings were... permanently damaged...”
“Oh, that's terrible!”
“Yes, it is... We tried to call for help, but the guards that were supposed to be on patrol that day decided to slack off instead...”
“W-Wait, what?! But... But the knights of the Faerie Kingdom are the most dedicated cookies there are! They- They wouldn't--”
“Oh, but they did... Noone came to help on that fateful day. I saw them, lounging around, drinking berry juice. They didn't even bother to apologise...”
“It... It can't be...”
“The truth can be... quite shocking, can't it?”
“But...”
Silverbell seems to enter deep thought, his brows furrowed slightly and a pout forming. He's looking down at the ground and Black Sapphire can't help but smile. Such a simple lie... And suddenly, this silly cookie is already rethinking his allegiance, doubting his own kind. Perfect...
“That won't do!” Silverbell suddenly perks up, placing himself in front of Black Sapphire and kneeling down. He clutches his chest and looks deep into Black Sapphire's, or rather, Purple Grape Cookie's dark violet eyes “As a member of the Knights of the Faerie Kingdom, I would like to apologise on behalf of all of us, for having failed you. I vow to work twice as hard, so no cookie is ever harmed again in our territory!”
“Wh-” Black Sapphire is a little stunned. This wasn't the intended effect at all! This foolish cookie was supposed to despair! Not grovel! “I-It's alright, really... It's been so long anyways...”
“No!” Silverbell stands up, grabbing Black Sapphire's hands and holding them close to his chest “It is our duty to help those in need. No cookie should be left behind. I truly hope you can find it in our heart to forgive us...”
“Pfft, gay...”
“I heard that, Apple Faerie!” What the hell is happening! This wasn't at all what Black Sapphire wanted to happen! He seems even more certain in his resolve! Damn...
Then again... Maybe this can be a good side quest. The B-Plot to their adventure- All good story needs one! Yes, he, Black Sapphire Cookie, would be the one to break this weak, puny cookie! The bigger they are, the harder they fall, so imagine how grandiose it would be to make even such a dedicated knight rebel!
Black Sapphire looks over at Candy Apple to try to communicate his plan. The smaller cookie is making kissing sounds in his and Silverbell's direction.
This brat was getting on his nerves...
“I accept your apologies, knight. I hope you have also forgiven my earlier transgression as well?”
“Of course! It wasn't that serious anyway...”
With that, they get back on their path, their destination only a few feet away. On the steps in front of the library, Candy Apple trips an unsuspecting cookie, and finally... They're in. The library.
Books. So many books. It's frankly a little absurd- Even for two cookie who live in a tower lined top to bottom with books as well!
“Amazing, isn't it? I, too, am taken aback every time I see all the knowledge we have gathered here, in one place...”
“Woah, this place is huge! I'm gonna explore!!”
“Apple Faerie Cookie, wait!” Black Sapphire calls out, but to no avail...
“Heheh... Your sister is quite lively, huh?”
“Sure... Lively...”
Black Sapphire is sure she's gonna cause chaos wherever she is, and while that might be the objective, he'd appreciate some sort of visual on her... Whatever. Best he can do now is scout out potential escape routes for when they undoubtedly need them. It would be a shame to have to leave Silverbell behind like that... He still has so many pranks to play on him! But he'll do what must be done for the sake of the mission.
“Purple Grape Cookie?”
“H-Huh? Sorry, was.. lost in thought...”
“Worried about your sister? I'm sure she'll behave!”
“Uh, sure. Did you ask me something?”
“Y-Yea, just, wondering what brings you two to the library...”
“Curious? Well, we just thought to pay it a visit, that's all... It's actually our first time here.”
“You've never been to the library? How?
“Just... never crossed our paths, I guess...”
“I can show you around!”
“Oh?”
“I-If you'd like, that is...”
Hm. Not ideal. Having a cookie constantly with him would make it that much harder to actually mess with anything. Then again... It could be fun~ A little challenge. Silverbell doesn't seem like the most perceptive type anyway... Going and spreading lies behind his back, changing the title of a book right under his nose, sounds like too much fun to pass up.
“Sure, why not. Lead the way, cutie~”
“I-I told you to stop that!”
“Whatever you say~”
The two walk together, shelves on shelves of books either side of them. Silverbell occasionally stops to pick up a book, shows it to Black Sapphire, then puts it back without noticing how the back cover has been completely defaced, or how the wrong author is credited, or how some truly egregious incorrect facts are proudly displayed on certain passages. It's fun, just as expected...
“Oh, look! It's... a section dedicated to the guardian? I don't remember this being here...”
“We could check it out if you'd like.”
“Really? Yes, I would! I'm... a bit of a fan of hers, hehe...”
They move to the section supposedly dedicated to the guardian. Silverbell picks up an interesting looking book and opens it up, before hurriedly closing it again.
“EEP!!” He shrieks, upsetting the librarian, who quickly shushes him from across the room, “S-Sorry! Purple Grape, we should probably go...”
“What's wrong? You're blushing...”
“I-It's nothing! Let's just go! I'll have to have a talk with the library director about this...”
Black Sapphire fought back a laugh. He had simply changed the name of the “Adult Fiction” section for something that might catch the fairy cookie's attention, and look how well it worked... He could already see Silverbell's embarassed expression when he confronted some poor, confused director about a non-existent section. He was relishing the thought when suddenly-
*THUMP*
“Wh-What was that? Did someone fall down?”
“I guess...” Or more likely, Candy Apple Cookie was up to something. Great.
“Should we check on them?”
“Yeah, sure. Let's go.”