Chapter Text
The wind outside the vanilla castles' walls howled, crashing against trees, thunder rumbled somewhere off in the distance. Rain started pouring down, crashing down on the roofs of the castle.
Pure vanilla slowly walked through the halls his staff making a soft thump every time it hit the vanilla wafer floor. A soft creak could be heard with every step he took.
A shadow followed the former king just out of sight. Slipping through cracks, traveling from shadow to shadow till it reached the blind man.
Slowly the shadow rose up behind the former king. Feet leaving the ground, taking shape of a familiar blue jester.
The blind man turned around seemingly aware of his... visitor. “Ah...,” he spoke in a calm manner that nobody could ever feel repulsed at. “So, I see you’ve decided to join me my friend?”
The blue jester scoffed. Not fully believing that anyone would ever consider him a friend despite the many years of rehabilitation that happened prior to this meeting.
“I see, you're not in the mood to talk. Would you still care to walk with me in the gardens despite the rain?”
The blue jester slowly and hesitantly nodded, before melting into the shadows once more. This time sticking to the blind man's shadow.
Slowly he continued down the halls of the vanilla castle.
After a while the former king started to hum to himself. A simple tune from long ago.
“So,” the former king started, “why does ‘the shadow milk’ require to be in my presence at this hour?”
The jester simply rolled its eyes before exiting the comfort of the shadows once more. “I, the Greatest, Playwriter, Actor, And Poet, don't. Require. Company.” His voice is laced with venom that is only meant for these kinds of conversations.
From the way he says it any outsiders would expect the blind fool to drop the conversation, but this is pure vanilla. The former king who would never give up, no matter the cost. Why would he change now?
“Come now shadow milk, that's no way to talk to your other half.” he seemingly taunts but he says it so soft and kindly that it could be mistaken for a compliment.
After a bit of silence, “you should consider adding more... blue to the castle.” he jokes half-heartedly.
“I'll think about it, just for you.” he snickers.
Slowly they reach the gates to the royal gardens, the blind fool turns the handle and steps outside expecting rain. But instead, is met with cool morning air, he takes a deep breath smelling the dew in the air but no harsh winds or rain.
“Oh! Shadow milk did you do this?” he snickers covering his mouth. “What a gentle cookie you are.”
Shadow milk simply huffs and goes to float next to the former king.
“Do tell,” he inquires after a soft while, “what compelled you to even attempt to try befriending me of all cookies?”
The blind man simply just starts walking down the path to a spot the jester knows all too well.
“Seriously? Here, again?” he groans, “this is the fifth time this week alone.”
“Mmhmm” he agrees.
“Why must you cultivate a flower of her?” he whines.
“Because I can, and you must be patient. If you want to be respected, you must respect me and my wishes blue.” he reaches to touch the unassumingly whole soul-jam, “and quit your whining too blue.”
The jester simply crosses his arms and looks the other way.
~~~~
After 2 and a half hours they returned to the castle. The blue jester seemed to be less tangible the closer he got to the former king, until he eventually disappeared.
The blind man noticed this but made no comment, perhaps this was natural? Or maybe even habit? Only time around them could tell.
~~~~
The next few weeks they fell back into routine, the jester would pester the fool; the fool would in turn accept the jester's taunts and jabs as playful behaviours. They would be seen in the town’s center from time-to-time, but they were never seen too far from each other.
The locals started to whisper, “is he trying to court the king?” “I should hope not! That would be ridiculous!” “Maybe he's keeping him as a pet?” “You heard the rumors that a Beast has come to the vanilla kingdom! Maybe he's it?” one thing was certain among them though, ever since the jester had come to the kingdom, pure vanilla was never seen without the jester being close by.