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Pure Vanilla takes in a breath, and slowly lets it out. In the seconds before the door swings open, he braces for what he knows is to come. He stands with firm conviction, shoulders set and head raised, the perfect image of composure as he strides through the opened door to stand before Dark Cacao, staff held steady.
"Pure Vanilla Cookie," Dark Cacao starts, slowly, raising from his seat and stepping closer to meet him where he stood. "In your letter, you neglected to say the exact purpose of your visit. Tell me, is it truly only for company?"
Pure Vanilla smiles, tilting his head only slightly. "It's not intended to be more than that, no. Not officially, in any case." Pure Vanilla responds. "This isn't business of the Heroes Council, this is… between us friends." Technically speaking, at least.
Eventually the Creme Republic will have to be informed about what the final plan to do with the Beasts is, as that will be official business of the Council given the Beasts' present role in the war against Dark Enchantress Cookie, but for the moment Pure Vanilla and his friends have made a quiet agreement over their letters that the matter of the Beasts would be decided by them alone, as the idea of the Creme Republic getting hold of the other halves of their soul jams after all that's happened before… is not too pleasant. And the Creme Republic, if they knew more than they already did, would certainly try to swoop in and coerce an agreement that they should get to study the "new" material.
Pure Vanilla was not opposed to giving second chances, nor did he think their original arguments were something disagreeable, but their mistakes before could have had much more dire consequences. Among other reasons to be reluctant in extending that trust again, as despite their initial words its become clearer that they held vastly different priorities. So when Dark Cacao and Hollyberry had decided that this remain between themselves, Pure Vanilla had not argued. Besides, if things proceed as he wishes them to, it would not be a choice in his hands whether to allow it or not anyhow.
"I see," Dark Cacao says. He gestures at the table set in the center of the room, one clearly used by tacticians recently enough given the map of the land set upon it. There are few rooms more suitable to a private discussion in the fortress than this one; others were connected by a series of servant tunnels almost always filled with listening ears, soldiers wandering them in disguise, as security was paramount. There were no such places to hide here, given the sensitive information this room was meant to hold. Pure Vanilla has been greeted in this room innumerable times, though not often on his own. "Well, whatever you have come to discuss, there will be no reason for any other to hear of it. Save for whoever else you wish to bring to this talk."
Pure Vanilla tilts his head, smiling gently as he props up his staff against his chair and joins Dark Cacao in sitting down. Though after a moment's hesitation Dark Cacao hastily clears the map off the table. As he carefully rolls the map up to tuck it away, Pure Vanilla clears his throat. "Yes, well, I suppose you'd rather start? I know you must have questions." Given Pure Vanilla's guest, whom he hadn't been entirely clear about bringing along. In truth, Pure Vanilla hadn't said more than needing a third room prepared "just in case;" he'd failed to elaborate, in case his original plan had fallen through. It had, in a way; while Pure Vanilla had instead chosen to use Shadow Milk's offered prize to ask some necessary questions, initially he'd expected to use it getting him to agree to this trip. All the better that Shadow Milk had come along under his own will, though.
"Will they be relevant to your aims? I wouldn't have assumed they'd be related topics." Dark Cacao asks, shoulders relaxing some now that the map has been put away. At Pure Vanilla's nod, Dark Cacao narrows his eyes and hums lowly, thoughtfully. "I suppose, then, I have to wonder who your new companion is. You both seem awfully close, but you've never mentioned him before."
"I.. can not explain why I've kept his presence so private." Pure Vanilla chuckles awkwardly, placing a hand on his cheek as if that'll hide the sudden crease of his brow. "As for Malted Milk Cookie, he's.. well. Particularly dear to me, I'm afraid. And…" Pure Vanilla pauses, searching for the right words before folding his hands together and placing them on the table. "He's why I asked for this visit on such short notice, though I wasn't quite sure if I could convince him to join me."
Dark Cacao looks over Pure Vanilla, and his frown gets the slightest bit more pronounced as he takes in the warmth dusting Pure Vanilla's cheeks. "You wouldn't have asked for this talk to take place here if this were merely you attempting to introduce your partner." Pure Vanilla flinches, quickly raising his hands and shaking them wildly, sputtering for a moment before getting a hold of himself and covering his mouth as he clears his throat.
"He isn't my partner," Pure Vanilla clarifies. He turns his head away, eyes half-open as his smile shrinks. "Not that I blame you for the confusion there…" He adds, just a touch forlorn. He's not certain, he can't be really, but since his own revelation about the depth of his feelings he's been wondering if Shadow Milk's fondness reached the same depths. He'd say there were plenty of signs of such, but Shadow Milk is quite contrarian. Even if their feelings were shared, there is no world where Pure Vanilla imagines Shadow Milk would admit such. A fact that is just about as distressing as it is frustrating. "In any case, no, I wouldn't have taken such precautions just to introduce you both. This is, rather, closer in relation to the matter of the Beasts."
Dark Cacao immediately tenses again, though Pure Vanilla really wishes he wouldn't. He knows Dark Cacao's experience with Mystic Flour had been trying, he doesn't believe anyone to have had an easy time facing their counterparts, but he wishes his friend would have any other reaction to the mere mention of the Beasts. He knows, despite how sure he'd attempted to seem when proposing the idea to Shadow Milk, that it will take an immense amount of effort to convince his friends to give the Beasts an opportunity to change their path; he'd hoped to be wrong, though.
"You mean to imply Malted Milk Cookie has some connection to the Beasts?" Dark Cacao asks, voice lowering to an almost rumble, anger brewing under the surface. Pure Vanilla solemnly nods; there is nothing else to say, and trying to soften this with some lie isn't going to help by any means. "Why is he here, then?!"
"Because, he is my friend. And, if he see's reason to, he will help us settle the matter with the Beasts." Pure Vanilla responds simply, before sighing. "It may sound unlikely, but I know his capabilities in this venture. He may be one of our best chances to settle this without a potentially devastating battle, allowing us to focus our full efforts on Dark Enchantress without needing to consider the Beasts as a factor. The issue lies, of course, in convincing him that the reward he asks for is one we will grant; my assurance alone hasn't swayed him, as he is right in that the decision is not solely up to me."
Dark Cacao leans forward, fists clenched as he narrows his eyes. "What sort of reward does he expect? And how did you meet him, to know his capabilities so well?"
"Unfortunately, those are not questions I am at length to answer," Pure Vanilla sighs. "He does not come by trust easily, and it has taken long enough to get him to offer his help in the first place, even so conditionally. I doubt he'd wish for me to give you the truth, nor would he answer with the full truth of the matter. He'd take us having this discussion at all with great offense, I believe."
Dark Cacao lets out a tsk, glancing away to glare at some distant thing outside Pure Vanilla's vision. "How am I meant to trust a cookie who will not extend the same in turn? Can I even trust his name is what you've said it is?" Dark Cacao asks, turning his frustrated gaze back at Pure Vanilla.
"It isn't. But, I do not ask that you trust him." Pure Vanilla raises a hand, placing it over his heart and smiling. "I ask you trust me, instead. I know Malted Milk well, and I know he can be abrasive. For all that he is, though, he is someone I believe will help us, and cares… much as he'd loathe admitting it. If not for any altruistic reason, at the very least because we may grant him what he desires."
Dark Cacao lets those words hang in the air for a time, watching Pure Vanilla for any signs of wavering, any hint of doubt. But Pure Vanilla doesn't doubt his own claims; if not because Shadow Milk personally cares for their friendship and wishes to help Pure Vanilla, he will help them because it will grant the Beasts their freedom. That certainly hadn't been a lie.
"You do not believe your judgment is clouded?" Dark Cacao settles on asking, the dangerous simmering anger he'd held under his words subdued for the moment. "You admitted before, you hold him dear to you. It would take a true fool to miss how deep your fondness for him runs after simply witnessing you speak with him. Could you say, without any doubt, that you aren't merely trusting him on that alone?"
Pure Vanilla glances away, rubbing his cheek as the warmth rises to it once again. Having it pointed out so bluntly is a touch embarrassing, but likely earned. He'd been that fool before; how had Hollyberry seen his feelings so clearly when he'd failed to notice them? He'll hate to face her again now that he's realized she'd been right; she's not unlikely to poke fun at him for it. Again, though, it'd be deserved. "I would certainly love to," Pure Vanilla responds. "I'm not unaware how unconvincing that would be, however. That's why I brought him here; it will certainly not be enough time to trust him, but perhaps it'll be enough time to convince you my judgment is sound."
"Though, not the sole reason, I presume." Dark Cacao surmises, to which Pure Vanilla meekly nods along. "We'd have been capable of this discussion whether or not he came along, and I imagine you may have had an easier time without him."
"You understand me well, my friend." Pure Vanilla sighs, again, feeling his cheeks burning. "While convincing him to provide his assistance is more paramount, as is convincing you to consider granting his request when the time comes to make a formal decision on the matter, I had some more personal reasons to wish for him to be present." Pure Vanilla slumps over, holding his face in his hands with a groan. "And already, my plans for that have gone about as sour as they can get…"
Dark Cacao gives Pure Vanilla a confused look, because up until this point Pure Vanilla has maintained his composure. But that was mostly business, and keeping up appearances for a more serious discussion. "Is there… a problem?"
"He's so frustrating!" Pure Vanilla bursts out, throwing his hands out in a wide gesture, expression truly exasperated. "If he could be straightforward for just a moment I could perhaps find some more patience within myself, but no. He has to express himself through snide comments and insults, and I've grown used to such; but he knows I do not tolerate such rudeness towards my friends, especially when spoken with any sincerity." Pure Vanilla rolls his eyes as he waves a hand through the air. "He may be frustrated that our conversation was interrupted, truly, I understand that. He was excited to share his plans with me, and its a shame the timing was so poor, but he could express that in any other way!"
"I'm not in the wrong for being frustrated, I am certain my response was warranted, but—" Pure Vanilla cuts himself off with another sigh, covering his face again as he slumps in his seat. "Now I have to worry if he took my words as instruction to leave, or if he's going to make me truly disinvite him. And if he stays, I have no doubt he'll be upset with me, so we'll have to spend the rest of this visit cross at each other— which is far from what I'd wanted!"
Dark Cacao watches, no shortage of concern in his expression as Pure Vanilla goes on his little tirade. When Pure Vanilla finally pauses to take a breath, he takes the moment to speak. "This isn't something that convinces me you make your judgment soundly. In fact, it doesn't sound like he's someone worth liking at all. Why care if he's to leave?"
Pure Vanilla takes in a breath, letting it out again slowly. "Because… at his best, he can be very kind. He tries to hide it, but it's impossible to miss, when you're looking for it." Only recently has Pure Vanilla been able to say such a thing with any confidence; it was one thing to earnestly believe in the potential Shadow Milk had to change for the better, and another to witness it. The Shadow Milk he had met in the spire would have reveled at his misery if he were to witness his nightmares, not taken the time to comfort and distract him. The Shadow Milk he'd met at the spire would have taken great pleasure in threatening Pure Vanilla's friends; not declare he had no intent of harming them. Shadow Milk may be frustratingly rude, but he hasn't been actively malicious for some time now. Pure Vanilla has borne witness to his changing attitudes, to the softening Shadow Milk denies is occurring, to the care he can't help bleeding out now that he finally allows himself to acknowledge it. Shadow Milk can be kind, and his kindness is not something that comes easily to him, but is a choice he's capable of making. And, more and more often, he is choosing it. How could Pure Vanilla not admire that effort?
Pure Vanilla shakes his head, straightening his posture again and smoothing back his hair. "Malted Milk is remarkably hard to get to know, as he does his best to push any and all who wish to try away. But, he always comes back. He does not apologize, not so directly, but I have gotten better at understanding when he wishes to make up for his slights. He's been getting better at conveying it, as well. When I ask him to join me in something he almost always gives in, even if he acts as if he hates it. When he last visited me in the Vanilla Kingdom, I was so busy I hardly had any time to speak. And he kept me company, despite that, and would pester me about taking breaks the whole day."
Even now, even with how terrible that day had ended, Pure Vanilla thinks of it fondly. For a cookie who had claimed to be his enemy at the time, Shadow Milk had been so concerned for his comfort. Though his tone had been mocking, Pure Vanilla could not miss how frustrated Shadow Milk had gotten when he'd insisted that he'd be fine even should his day continue to be so busy. In truth, that day hadn't been as exhausting as it could have been because Shadow Milk had been by Pure Vanilla's side for it all. "Spending time with him is unpredictable, but almost always my favorite part of any day. He and I disagree on some things, and fundamentally I think we never will see eye to eye… but I understand him, and he understands me. That kind of understanding… you don't connect with just any cookie that way." Pure Vanilla smiles, placing both of his hands over his soul jam, feeling the thrumming warmth pulse at his touch. "Besides, he's changed in the time I've known him. I wouldn't ever give up on him, knowing he's truly trying."
"Only you, Pure Vanilla." Dark Cacao says, shaking his head in mild disbelief. "The patience you possess is truly more than any other cookie could bear."
"I do try," Pure Vanilla responds. "But, I do have something more to discuss, if you'll be open to it?" Pure Vanilla folds his hands over the table again, tilting his head cheerily. "I'd like to request we spend a night camping outside the fortress walls, but there's some things about the matter to settle…"
That went about just… around how he'd expected it to. He has to wonder if he could consider it having gone better, rather, than as he'd expected. He had expected some push-back, expected rejection, expected that even if Shadow Milk truly returned his feelings it'd be an entirely different matter convincing him to accept them. He even expected, perhaps, Shadow Milk denying Pure Vanilla's honesty outright. And so this result, where the moment is now merely reduced to an awkward memory and Pure Vanilla hadn't achieved anything he'd set out to do is… hard to quantify, as better or worse.
Pure Vanilla sighs, glancing back at Shadow Milk as he chats with Black Raisin and Caramel Arrow, as easily as if such a thing were natural to him. It shouldn't make him feel so sour, to see Shadow Milk getting along with other cookies; to get along with Pure Vanilla's friend, whom he'd explicitly asked Shadow Milk to be polite to. Yet, still, it's… an odd sort of frustrating, to see Shadow Milk entreat cookies he barely knew to casual conversation. That they so easily can draw a smile from him, even a laugh or two as he makes a pest out of himself, it's… Pure Vanilla really wishes he felt any other way.
That is not the sole reason he's so down, either. Of course it wouldn't be; Shadow Milk talking to other cookies, potentially making friends is a good thing overall, even if Pure Vanilla feels low about how quickly they seemed able to complete the task in comparison to the months he'd taken. He'd be much happier about that development if things had just… went slightly more right.
Dark Cacao's interruption hadn't been his fault, Pure Vanilla had plenty of warning ahead of time. He simply… took too much time, delayed the act he'd planned to take, and lost the opportunity. Things of that nature happen often enough, Pure Vanilla is not unfamiliar with being overly cautious at times, it simply is disappointing that he'd hesitated this time.
As far as declarations of love go, a shoddy scarf is hardly worthy of being the centerpiece anyhow. Shadow Milk did seem to earnestly appreciate it, inasmuch as he could be earnest. The sentiment had carried enough weight that, at the least, Pure Vanilla's next attempt should be more believable. Hopefully. It's… simply going to take more time, than he'd intended. That's a good thing. It takes time for Shadow Milk to accept certain ideas, so more time to subtly build the groundwork for that truth to shine would not be remiss. Better, then. If Pure Vanilla had managed to do as he'd intended… it would have gone poorly, wouldn't it?
"I take it you're plotting again." Dark Cacao says, startling Pure Vanilla out of his thoughts and making him stumble, momentarily. Before he can truly lose his footing and trip over the snow, Dark Cacao catches him by the arm and steadies him. Pure Vanilla smiles, a tinge embarrassed at the display, and ignores the harsh buzz of his soul jam. Whatever irked Shadow Milk so suddenly, Pure Vanilla can't just glance back at him again. If he spent any more of this walk watching Shadow Milk, he'd fall into a snowbank for certain.
"Ah, not plotting, exactly…" Pure Vanilla trails off as he regains his footing, and Dark Cacao releases his arm soon as he's convinced Pure Vanilla will not flail into stumbling again. "Thinking, yes. But as for any plans… I'm afraid I can't think of any." There are plenty of things he can do, but he also wishes to consider Shadow Milk's comfort. Not to mention, there are far more important matters to handle here. This had been, really, far and away secondary to the real reason they were here.
"Rather deep in thought, for that." Dark Cacao muses, and Pure Vanilla chuckles awkwardly. He can't really help it— Shadow Milk is difficult to figure out, and matters that concern him get complicated quickly. Even if he ignores his attempt at some sort of "confession", as silly as using that word for it sounds, just the matter of finding a way for Dark Cacao to trust his judgment of Shadow Milk is quite the puzzle. He really has no clue what would help in that matter; and Dark Cacao isn't helpful in the least. For good reason, he supposes, but it's still… unpleasant.
" I have a rather lot to think." Pure Vanilla responds, an attempt at injecting humor into his tone that he finds mild success in. Dark Cacao gives him a small smile and a shake of his head, and Pure Vanilla has to keep himself from visibly reacting as his soul jam thrums with another vicious buzz.
It soon steadies itself back into the even and steady warm pulse it carries by standard, but if he leaned on the linking resonance of their soul jams he might be able to read the feeling more clearly; he only gets the sudden spikes, if not intentionally trying to sense what Shadow Milk is feeling. So far it only works when they're close, proximity wise, but he hasn't really been trying to use that link they have. Shadow Milk wouldn't appreciate it, and given he's been courteous and refrained himself, Pure Vanilla isn't inclined to breaking that trust.
"Do you ever—" Pure Vanilla begins, absently, before cutting himself off. But it's much too late to take those words back now; and Dark Cacao is perceptive. Pure Vanilla isn't quite good enough at acting as if nothings the matter to hide much from him. So when Dark Cacao looks at him, with a silent imploring gaze, Pure Vanilla feels quite sorry for even thinking of trying to hide this. "Does your soul jam ever… hum? Lately, I mean."
Dark Cacao narrows his eyes, brow furrowed just slightly. "No." He says, quite to the point about it. Which makes sense, really; Pure Vanilla hasn't felt his own soul jam hum at all unless Shadow Milk was nearby, though nowadays it maintains that gentle pulse akin to a second heart regardless of distance. Pure Vanilla has taken it as a sign of good things, but he hasn't understood it. Dark Cacao not experiencing it at all doesn't help much, in that regard. "Does yours?" Dark Cacao asks in return, tone carrying the unspoken assumption that of course Pure Vanilla's has. Otherwise, he wouldn't have brought it up; a fair enough assessment, given it's true.
Pure Vanilla hums. "Rarely," he answers. It's the truth, given he only rarely sees Shadow Milk in person. In their dreams, the soul jams don't quite react unless they're expecting them to. plus, the warm pulse is quite different from a hum, and not necessary to mention… just yet. "It comes with… feelings, I believe. Ones that are not my own." Pure Vanilla raises a hand over his soul jam, hovering there without touching, feeling the pulsing warmth reach back for him. If Shadow Milk could receive the feelings he held, then perhaps whatever has happened to upset him may be alleviated a bit. Though that was a rather large if.
Dark Cacao shakes his head, turning back to face the path ahead with a grunt. "Perhaps it's something to do with your truth, then." Dark Cacao says, though he's clearly restraining himself from jumping to some other, likely more correct, conclusion he finds distasteful. If he suspects it has something to do with Pure Vanilla's connection to his Beast, then he must think it something better to keep to himself. "You've always been empathetic to a degree I find difficult to comprehend. Your light may have just decided to amplify it, given your recent ascendance."
Pure Vanilla hasn't considered it from that angle, rather. It would make some sense; surely Shadow Milk would have mentioned the feeling by now, if his soul jam hummed the same. Or Dark Cacao should, if it has something to do with their connections to the Beasts, at least notice something was different in its resonance. But, Pure Vanilla can't simply assume that's right. At the very least, he needs to wait until someone else may report similar findings. If he could get a letter to Golden Cheese, perhaps… he doesn't think it's likely she'll reply, but maybe she'll have enough time to spare? He'll write once he arrives home, then.
"Maybe so," Pure Vanilla responds. And that, for now, is as far as he'll take this discussion. He lets Dark Cacao change the subject, and decides to shelve the speculation for another day. It's not all too important, anyhow.
Pure Vanilla watches Shadow Milk march out of the dining hall with Candy Apple in tow, already half in the mind to follow after them. He knows better than to intrude on this, though; he'd felt Shadow Milk's panic, for just a moment. This is a matter better settled between them both… though perhaps he'll see if he could help later, whatever that help may end up looking like.
What he can do, should do, is explain as much as he knew of the situation to Dark Cacao, and then bring Shadow Milk his plate. He's not certain that Shadow Milk will be as fine as he'd claim for skipping a meal, when Shadow Milk has admitted that rest can help manage his pain. A proper diet, likely, could mitigate some of his issues as well. At the very least, regular meals wouldn't hurt him any more. (Pure Vanilla will, likely, have to do some proper research on how best to help Shadow Milk without being too imposing… though, that is well past what's immediately relevant now.)
"Pure Vanilla," Dark Cacao starts. Pure Vanilla turns to face him, smile strained.
"That would be Malted Milk's child, who caused such a fuss." Pure Vanilla answered before Dark Cacao can even ask. "She's a talented actress, with a penchant for mischief and… she's prone to bad decisions." Though none of those were unique to her, they all apply when referring to any of the Spire's residents, he felt it unnecessary to share that much. It certainly wouldn't help Dark Cacao's judgment of Shadow Milk, and this has already likely done enough damage on that front.
"This is a more serious matter than just a bad decision and some mischief, Pure Vanilla." Dark Cacao speaks lowly, careful to keep from being overheard. The cookies around the table, a number of them assumedly advisors or something of that kind, whisper among themselves uncertainly, filling the hall with a low murmur. Pure Vanilla can not get a clear idea of what they may be saying, but the likelihood it will be troublesome to reign in later is… not low. It's for the better they keep this conversation as quiet as they may be capable, for at least some sense of privacy they do not truly have. "She was able to break in to the fortress, impersonate staff, and obtain immediate and direct access to our meals. That's a dangerous application of her talent, not to mention a display that she could likely obtain access to other things just as severe, and I can't trust she hasn't had any nefarious intent. Given what you have said about Malted Milk…"
It takes Pure Vanilla a moment to realize what Dark Cacao is implying, trailing off like that. But then, the clarity strikes Pure Vanilla near immediately; Dark Cacao knows "Malted Milk" is associated with the Beasts in some manner, and by association, that means his daughter is, too. If the Beasts have such skilled infiltrators at hand, and their only mistake that caught them this time was one of their own identifying them… ah. Yes, that's quite a terrifying idea.
"Malted Milk and his children are unmatched in talent, and I swear to you, they aren't presently a threat." Presently, a terrible word that Dark Cacao immediately catches on, but before the matter could be pried upon Pure Vanilla hurries to continue. "Although she truly only showed because she missed Malted Milk terribly. They've recently gone through… a rather harrowing time." It's more than clear Shadow Milk's imprisonment had hit his children particularly hard. Pure Vanilla can be sympathetic to how they'd felt about such a thing. "They all have been rather attached at the hip, as far as I've seen. This week would have been the longest time they've been separated in a few months, and they're still quite sensitive to it. She meant no harm, though I concur her methods were unagreeable."
Dark Cacao isn't any more swayed by that than he'd been by any of Pure Vanilla's assurances after he'd revealed "Malted Milk's" connection to the Beasts. There's not much for Pure Vanilla to say, though, on the matter; Shadow Milk is not at present a threat, at least not in any meaningful way. At most he's a neutral party, not willing to interfere for either side, but he's willing to make deals and arrangements if it'll give him the freedom he desires. That's equally dangerous if Dark Enchantress were to figure exactly what may tempt him back to working with her, for certain, but at the moment Pure Vanilla is sure that the likelihood of that is quite low. Regardless of if the depth of their feelings are matched, he knows Shadow Milk truly cares about their friendship… truly cares about him, though he certainly doesn't like admitting such.
"At the very least, seek an explanation from them both before you make a true judgment," Pure Vanilla requests. "Though I may ask for you to give them some time. Malted Milk had quite the scare, when she arrived."
"He seemed more angered than frightened." Dark Cacao states, raising a brow. "What gave you such an impression?"
Pure Vanilla smiles, tilting his head slightly. "I know him quite well, by now." It's the best explanation he can give, as explaining their connection is not… conducive to hiding Shadow Milk's true identity, at the moment. It's still true regardless, as well. Even without the soul jam to assist in the matter, Pure Vanilla would have been able to see the gleam of worry in Shadow Milk's gaze, and the fear driving his actions. Normally his anger is more theatrical, louder, an entire display he doesn't restrain himself from. He doesn't have the wherewithal for restraint when he gets really, truly angry. Shadow Milk often reacts before he thinks, when his emotions get the best of him. "And, if I understand correctly, he must have thought she came to find him because something terrible had happened. That was likely the only scenario he imagined they'd need him for."
Dark Cacao seems to give this a thought, thinking over what had occurred from this new angle. Surely, he could understand from that perspective. And, as Pure Vanilla had hoped— "I'll speak with them, after they've had some time to settle." Dark Cacao relents, sounding only mildly frustrated he'd given in to Pure Vanilla's persistence. "I assume you intend to follow after them?"
Pure Vanilla offers a small chuckle and a nod, turning to take Shadow Milk's abandoned plate off the table. "I do hope you won't mind?" As certain Pure Vanilla is of his own judgment and theories, they were only conjecture. He can not be certain Candy Apple didn't have some other important news to share that she merely saved for in private. If it had anything to do with the other Beasts, then it would have been a far more sound decision to restrain herself. He can't help but worry that there may have been more to this.
Dark Cacao sighs, though he offers Pure Vanilla a small smile. "Not at all." He says, and Pure Vanilla quickly gives his thanks before hurrying out.
Used to the halls of the fortress, even if it's been quite some time, it doesn't take long at all to find himself in front of Shadow Milk's door. He means to knock, raises a hand to it, but pauses as a voice manages to slip through. Immediately Pure Vanilla startles, nearly flinching at the unexpected sound, but then…
"—Vanilla Cookie, forever, and leave us behind!" Candy Apple's voice carries, albeit not far. Pure Vanilla winces, thinking of the many in the servant halls that may be able to overhear what's clearly become a loud argument… but he believes, unless some things have changed significantly between the past and now, that guest rooms are generally avoided during they day patrols. He'll have to… hope for the best. And prepare to manage the worst, if need be.
Still, that argument sounds rather volatile. Pure Vanilla feels awfully conflicted, for a moment, but surely it couldn't hurt to listen in…? Clearly, he's part of this. Candy Apple mentioned him by name, and—
"Because you love him!" Her voice pierces through the door again, before Pure Vanilla could truly make up his mind whether to eavesdrop or not. He freezes, taking a moment to properly process the words, before hastily scrambling to put his ear to the crack of the door. "—he nearly destroyed our home and he rejected your company and he's going to lock you away again, and you love him!"
Pure Vanilla holds his breath, feeling mortification and shame burn through him, but he can't quite bring himself to move away just yet. Shadow Milk doesn't deny it. Not as vehemently and immediately as Pure Vanilla would have assumed he would, not with any offense taken— the accusation is allowed, ignored even, for the most part, until…
He's… something else.
Something else. Pure Vanilla can't help but smile, though he quickly manages to tear himself away after hearing that much. He… really oughtn't have done that. But… oh, he can't help but be glad he had! It's so hard to ascertain whether he's merely seeing things too optimistically, if he's been imagining Shadow Milk returning his affectionate feelings or if the hints were truly there— Shadow Milk is, regardless of Pure Vanilla's understanding of him, a difficult cookie to truly read. As obvious as Pure Vanilla thought the signs were, he also had to contend with both the fact that Shadow Milk is prone to exaggeration, and that he hasn't had a friend in quite some time. What Pure Vanilla may see as a sign of attraction, Shadow Milk may have thought was a totally ordinary friendly display. There was simply no way to be sure, but…
But Candy Apple accused Shadow Milk of loving him, and Shadow Milk didn't respond to it.
Pure Vanilla takes a moment, just to lean against the wall and calm himself down. He can't act on this information… not with how he'd obtained it. Not to mention, he can't take Shadow Milk's attention away when Candy Apple clearly needs reassurance and presence. He needs to act as if he hadn't heard a thing… who's to say he's even reading the situation correctly? He feels he knows Shadow Milk well enough by now, and he'd been half sure their feelings were mutual before, but… it's best, for now, to wait until he has the time to properly think things through. He needn't rush things, really.
Yes, that would be the better move. He'd been trying too hard to do too much, it's for the better that he give up on telling Shadow Milk his feelings for the moment. He'll… find some time, again, to see Shadow Milk in person. Focusing on encouraging Dark Cacao and Shadow Milk to get along is more important in the meantime. If he focuses his efforts on that task alone, he's sure to manage at least some progress there. And then Shadow Milk will have much more time to focus on giving Candy Apple the care she needs, as well.
Some other day. He refuses to settle the matter in their dreams; there's something about the idea that feels wrong, or disconnected. Likely Shadow Milk would use the fact that it hadn't happened in reality as some sort of argument against accepting it, given he's still often distrustful over how much Pure Vanilla cares for him. He'd never believe that care runs as deep as love if Pure Vanilla were to reveal it in a dream. One frustrating truth is that it'll be an uphill battle to try to convince Shadow Milk of his sincerity regardless, Pure Vanilla does not want to give him room for excuses if he could possibly avoid it. So, some other day. He will get another chance; Pure Vanilla can be patient.
Though he can't settle the flutter in his heart and the warmth in his face with just a mere promise of someday. That, actually, takes a few minutes. But after those few minutes, and by that time the food has gotten cold, Pure Vanilla is able to knock on the door.