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[This is narrated by Silent Salt Cookie before the corruption]
“What a place full of beauty.” I muttered under my breath as I catch a glimpse of Elder Faerie Cookie’s garden. It was truly a breathtaking sight to see. His choices of plants and flowers were brilliant— the way its colors contrast and complement each other. Alongside, the butterflies in various colors scattering around the place. I take a step, I saw Elder Faerie Cookie sitting on a bench with a watering can— he must’ve just finished watering the plants.
“Elder Faerie Cookie.” I called out to him in a polite way. He did not respond, he was falling asleep. I sit beside him to wake him up a bit.
“…Elder Faerie Cookie?” I called him out once more. I noticed his eyes slowly opened as I said his name.
“Oh… you’re here- I’m sorry I fell asleep. I was really tired.” He yawns as he said that. “Do you want some jellies?”
I shake my head as response to his question. “I already ate some jellies earlier.” I follow up. Elder Faerie Cookie nods.
A moment of silence between us, he was still feeling sleepy just by looking at his features. I stared at him for a moment, lost in thought. The sunlight hit directly at us, giving his silver hair a shimmer, it was a beautiful view to see. I touch his locks, still in awe on how his hair shun under the sun.
He snaps out of his sleepiness as I caressed his hair. “What are you doing?” He asks, a hint of concern in his face.
I smiled under my helmet. “Nothing, don’t worry.”
An idea popped out of my head. “Elder Faerie Cookie, you must be feeling sleepy, perhaps we explore the garden?”
He looked up to me, intrigued at my idea. “Well, I don’t see why not. I’ll explore you around.” I stood up from the bench.
Elder Faerie Cookie wore a long robe instead of his usual armor. I have never seen him in this garment. His hair was down like I noticed earlier.
I followed his lead along the way. The more I explored the garden, the more I captured its beauty— the diverse selection of plants, the calm ambience, and the fresh air. It was different from all the places I’ve been in— I felt like I was in a different world.
“I hope I’m not destroying the grass with my armor.” I said, with a hint of worry. I know how conscious Elder Faerie Cookie is with when it comes to plants.
He shook his head. “Don’t worry about it. This grass is small.” He gently reassured to me. I let out a sigh of relief, but I didn’t make it obvious.
We continued walking and exploring his garden. Once again, I appreciated the scenery around me— it was really peaceful.
A question came into my mind. “Elder Faerie Cookie, did you invite the others? This garden is beautiful, truly a gift.” I hesitated to ask, but made sure I show none. He looked away as I asked him. I worry there was something in the question that he didn’t like.
“I figured I wanna keep this garden for myself, just a personal space.” He answered, followed by a soft chuckle. “You see I find happiness even in simple plants and decided that a personal space with it would be… therapeutic.” He smiles, admiring the surroundings.
We sit on the soft grass. I saw the wind blew his hair and some fragments from my armor.
“If the garden is for your own, and for a personal space, then why must you invite me here? It’s a space for only you, so why am I here?” I wondered, but he did not answer. Perhaps, a question that he didn’t like.
“Well,” he said all of a sudden. I look at his face. “I figured, I could show this place to a… ‘friend’... someone special.”
“Special? …Me?” my face, under my helmet, flushed a tint of red. My heart felt a tingle— it’s not a tingle that I feel during battle, it’s a different one. Elder Faerie Cookie gently grabbed my hand into his. I looked at the tender gesture— it was genuine, I feel it.
“More than special… more than words.” he looks at me with eyes that are hinting me something no cookie have ever did to me.
Elder Faerie Cookie kissed my hand into a pleasant way, then took my other hand into his free one. His touch was light as feather, there was no sign of any malice or intention to destroy— he held it so delicately. This moment, my guard was down for the first time.
“You should take off that helmet sometimes. I wanna see you.” He suggested with a hint of a request. He has never seen my face before, even we have known each other for long. I often notice him trying to take a small glance.
I hesitated for a moment, but I couldn’t bear to betray the intimacy of the moment. Slowly, I took off the helmet I wear. I settle it down and reveal my face to him. I was covered with a little sweat, my hair tied in a bun. I took a deep breath, feeling the air. I smile at him, meeting his eyes that shine like diamonds.
Elder Faerie Cookie held my cheek and caressed it with his thumb. I leaned into his touch. His palm was warm and his touch was tender. My heart ached at the sensation.
“You’re beautiful.” he said in a tender manner. I open my eyes and look at him. “I can’t breathe.” I said, I cannot get rid of the feeling that I was about to cry. I sighed in a good way.
He gently pulled me into his arms, I leaned to him. He lets me lay my head on his chest. I hold him tenderly, he hold me deliberately— caressing my back. I sighed once again, feeling relieved and relaxed in his touch, his mercy. It was peace.
We told each other stories about our lives as we held each other in tranquility, amidst delightful plants. Earthbread has stopped spinning, nothing else had matter— it’s just the two of us.