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The snow fell across the mountains that morning, and it had the week before, and the week before that--. The point was, it was cold and miserable for any cookie without a fire to sit by or a few layers of cloaks to hide under. However in the Ivory Pagoda, at the very crack of dawn though. Was Divine Flour Cookie as she stoked her fire herself, she had let the Haetae that helped her run the Ivory Pagoda and organize multitudes of cookies, leave for the special occasion. She believed the cookies were told by them before today and would understand a small delay.
She stoked the fireplace in the dining hall, a place she didnt use often but it was still well-kept and tidy. The air smelt faintly of flour, cranberries, food that was still cooking and other spices she had used in those dishes.
She couldn't wait, she had exchanged letters with her friends--acquaintances? Friends, definitely friends. Over the past few months, but it was always so much fun when they came in person--whether if it was at her Pagoda or Pure Sugar's garden, or perhaps even Blueberry Milk's spire, or maybe Rich Spice's Temple! Or Sea Salt's domain. Regardless, she was full of glee.
She had prepared a few gifts for each of her friends, gifting and serving was very important to her--I mean, she's been doing it for how long now? Each day was a blur when she had to serve thousands of cookies wishes each week, but she wouldn't change a thing, it was the whole reason she was baked by the witches. She made her way to the kitchen, working on each dish with time as she plated and seasoned dish after dish, remembering each of her comrade's tastes, though let's be honest, they'd probably bring some food themselves. But it was the options that mattered!
She set the table, and sat each dish in an order across the long tablecloth, it was still hot and the room was warm--maybe from how much running around to provide and set everything, but after a few hours, it was done, she stepped back from the feast she set on the table and admired it, envisioning her friends around the table...laughing as always, exchanging gifts and eating. She couldnt wait for that, as she was lost in a daydream the footsteps of her first guest echoed in the Pagoda, snapping her out of her small trance.
She hurried her way out of the dining room, and over to the entrance of the Ivory Pagoda, where she saw The Fount Of Knowledge entering, a scholar who's spire was probably the closest to her Pagoda, but it was still far.
"Blueberry Milk Cookie!" She greeted with the nickname they had come up with one day when the five virtues were domestically hanging around.
The Fount Of Knowledge's arms had 4 presents stacked up in his palms, "Well, The Saint Of Volition! I must say, once again. Are all those stairs really so necessary?" He questioned with a grin, tilting his head to peer at her through the stacked gifts.
"Certainly!" She responded, taking some of the burdened gifts from him so it wasnt such a hassle to hold, "Well... It certainly is an obstacle, but you must understand. It helps with the crowd." She chuckled.
"Touche, touche. Im sure the others are struggling as much as i am." He joined in with the chuckles, "Except Rich Spice," Divine Flour added, "Now come along! You can have first pick." The scholar let out a little 'ooh' at her words as they both padded to the dining hall.
The two conversed for a little, with topics changing easily, letting the two catch up before the next pair of heavy footsteps became apparent. Both of their heads perked up and the two of them made their way to the entrance, and once over, there were two cookies! and it was blatantly obvious who it was from the clanking of golden bangles on multiple arms, and the soft flutter of wings and the sweet strong scent that followed their flaps. As expected, Rich Spice Cookie stood there with a toothy grin, and Pure Sugar squealed at the sight of her two companions and waved excitedly. Rich Spice Cookie, instead of the signature golden battle weapons he seemed to always just...carry around in his extra four arms, instead of the weapons, were gifts! and with the other two? one had some food in it, that miraculously survived the walk there, and the other was free of anything--that he waved with, of course. . "Divine Flour Cookie! And is that the Fount Of Knowledge i see?" He greeted, Pure Sugar just dropped the four gifts she was holding and ran towards Divine Flour Cookie and wrapped her up in a hug.
Blueberry Milk Cookie rolled his eyes at Rich Spice Cookie's words, "Good to see you too, Herald Of Change." He mimicked the Herald's voice, but couldnt hide the small smile that came upon his lips at the banter, Divine Flour Cookie was practically swallowed up by Pure Sugar's wings, "Pure--Pure Sugar, please!--I think im losing circulation--" Divine Flour asked, she was actually being choked a little bit, but she was also laughing.
Pure Sugar loosened her hug, "Sorry, its just--AAHH!!!" She exclaimed once again, a big, bright grin on her face, Divine Flour wrapped her up in a hug once again, "Okay, im glad to see you too." Pure Sugar squeezed the Saint and then pulled back, Blueberry Milk inched back a little bit--not wanting to be next.
Thankfully, the Bringer Of Happiness had known of his small aversion to her hugs. "Oh, where are my manners?" Divine Flour scrambled, "Please, you two, come in! come in! And help yourselves!" Pure Sugar had immediately rushed into the Dining Hall, followed by Blueberry Milk Cookie. The Herald Of Change chuckled a low hum and followed them, Divine Flour Cookie then walked over to where The Bringer Of Happiness had dropped her gifts in a haste to swallow her up in a airtight hug and then walked into the Dining Hall aswell.
Minutes later, everyone was in their preferred seats. Blueberry Milk Cookie was half-lecturing Pure Sugar, over something stupid that Divine Flour couldnt bother to remember, something like if all mammals had edible milk, it wasnt the first time they had bickered over a incredibly stupid topic. Rich Spice was trying everything that Divine Flour made, complimenting its flavors and asking for each recipe--a detailed one, with precise step by step instructions. He always did this, she loved to make new things--i mean, he was the Herald Of Change after all! It was fun to try out new recipes that he could even try out himself.
Suddenly, more footsteps could be heard, Divine Flour Cookie excused herself, but Rich Spice Cookie got up aswell and tagged along, probably to greet his friend and to warn him of the two other cookies bickering.
In the hall, there was no one, the two cookies went outside to Sea Salt Cookie looking around curiously, with...a horse, "Sea Salt cookie?" Divine Flour queried and raised an eyebrow, "Welcome...um, you got a horse!" she then greeted, but still looked at him with a curious gaze. Rich Spice cookie looked THRILLED at this new matter.
"Every knight needs a trusty steed, you...you wouldn't happen to have a stable, would you?" Sea Salt asked, "Im afraid not, but i do have a little garden--just right off to the side there, if you need some rope i can--" "No, no, he'll stay. But a garden will do plenty, i'll just be a second."
"Alright then, im glad you're here, Sea Salt cookie." she smiled, before going inside-- Rich Spice Cookie had eagerly followed after the knight, Divine Flour Cookie could practically smell his breath as he overlapped questions. She made her way back to the dining hall and listened to Blueberry Milk and Pure Sugar's bickering, this always happened, they were like an old married couple--except Pure Sugar just loved to make him mad on purpose and Blueberry Milk was always so literal about things, it was not a good match--but they meant well, and loved eachother dearly.
"Geese would NOT be the rudest if they spoke our language, and science and books have proved this--!" "Scientists AND books have studied this?" Pure Sugar broke out into a fit of hysterical giggles, leaning back in her air and giggling and kicking her feet. Suddenly, Sea Salt and Rich Spice came back in and took their seats, with of course Sea Salt's 4 gifts that he bought.
They all exchanged words and ate food, joking and laughing together. With the overlapping voices of the four, Mystic Flour felt truly at peace, not the kind of peace she felt after a long day of granting wishes--needed or not, but it was different, it was personal, it was true and right and warm. And as the group's laughter, guffaws and huffs of amusement grew louder and raspier from how much talking they were doing, it was late into the night and the group hadnt settled down at all, but the gifts were still unopened.
When the moon was high in the sky, and the stars seemed to twinkle a little brighter on this night, did the five finally remember the gifts they all had haphazardly placed in the corner.
"Im telling you, we should start our own band." Rich Spice cookie said, helping Divine Flour clean up and put away some of the dishes, "Blueberry Milk has weak bones, its impossible to have a weak-boned member," Pure Sugar replied, snickering as Blueberry Milk Cookie made a face, "I do NOT have weak bones! And even if i DID, which, i DONT. It still makes up for intellectuality, as for you, i dont think you could learn to play even a flute or a triangle!" The two began a bickering session, while Sea Salt joined in to Rich Spice's question, "It wouldnt be a bad idea, but it'd be a miracle in itself if we could get anything productive done, considering all of our packed schedules and..." The knight glanced in the pink angel and the blue scholar's bickering session.
Rich Spice turned to look at the two aswell as he held up a few dirty plates in four arms, "I suppose you're right, still it was a cool idea though, right?" "Yeah, it was. Have you learned any instruments?" Sea Salt asked the Herald as he followed him to the kitchen to put the dishes in the sink, "Actually, no, but i will soon enough! Which do you think i should learn first?" Divine Flour entered the room. "Drums, definitely drums." she added, putting a good portion of dishes into the sink. "Thats what i was going to say, drums." Sea Salt agreed as Divine Flour left the room and smiled, "Then drums it is!" The Herald Of Change exclaimed as the two both followed suit after Divine Flour and went back to their seats in the dining hall.
Both Pure Sugar and Blueberry Milk were bickering, while Divine Flour was trying to reason with them to put an end to the matter, "Please, guys, both features are acceptable--if you're not strong enough to--" "HAH!" Pure Sugar choked out a laugh, "SEE! She agrees with me!" "Pure Sugar, please let me finish." The angel piped down, but she still had a satisfied smirk on her face as Blueberry Milk-- maybe for the first time in the professor's life, scowled.
"Both feats are good, as long as they can work together, okay? Sure, Blueberry Milk cant be the best with heavy or large instruments, neither can i, but aren't you, Rich Spice and Sea Salt there to deal with those if we were hypothetically in a band?" Pure Sugar's cocky smirk faltered under Divine Flour's words, "I suppose. But he's still a know-it-all." She retaliated, "That, he is."
"HEY" The scholar himself exclaimed, "Okay! Lets open presents!" The saint smiled to avoid another playful fight to break out. Rich Spice picked up a gift and held it out for Sea Salt, "This one's for you." The knight unpeeled the wrapping paper, "Oh! That one's mine! Your gonna love it." Pure Sugar exclaimed. Sea Salt opened the gift to reveal a record player, the virtue hadnt said anything about expressing interest in music except from the conversation with Rich Spice from a few minutes ago, but the Bringer had thought 'who doesnt like music?', as well as a few records. "Thank you, Pure Sugar Cookie, its lovely."
Pure Sugar smiled, "You're welcome!" she replied as Rich Spice gathered the next present in his arm and looked at the tag for who it was for, "Oh, this is for you, Blueberry Milk!" Blueberry Milk took the present and opened it, "Oh! I think that one's mine." Divine Flour commented as he opened it, pulling out a robe with stars on them and little swirls. "Thank you, Divine Flour." The scholar seemed to admire it for a second before folding it and putting it in his lap for now, "Of course!" She grinned, "This one's for me!" Rich Spice suddenly remarked as he tore through it,
"Oh, i think that one is mine too." Divine Flour pointed out at the sight of the wrapping paper just as Rich Spice pulled out a camera and a pack of flim, he looked literally SO happy right there, words could not describe the joy on this man's face.
He squealed out of pure excitement and ripped the film package opening, loading the camera and fiddling with it. Before leaning back immediately taking a picture of the five, the flash took them by surprise and as the photo printed he guffawed. He then passed the next present as if he hadn’t just flash-banged them. “This one’s for YOU, Flour!” He added as he slid it over. Divine Flour, still recovering from the mini-flash bag, blinked a little bit before nodding, “That one’s mine! Open it! Open it quickly! Quick! DIVINE FLOUR, QUICK” Pure Sugar beckoned, or rather demanded as Divine Flour then hurriedly ripped it open. It had a flint striker in it, for her incense and candles. Divine Flour smiled warmly, “Oh…I love it! Thank you.” She said, with Pure Sugar smiling in return as Rich Spice slid another present across the table where Blueberry Milk was.
Pure Sugar quickly exclaimed “THAT ONE IS ALSO MINE” The Bringer Of Happiness squawked, Blueberry Milk— to avoid her wrath and screeching demands quickly tore the wrapping paper open and picked out a white noise machine with added settings of, “Bird Noises,” “Whale Noises,” “Fan Noises,” “Underwater Noises,” and “Custom” “Its to help soothe your sleepless nights,” explained Pure Sugar, “You know, since you're always complaining about not getting enough sleep.” “Thanks…but what in the world is custom???” Questioned Blueberry Milk. “I think it's when you record something, and it repeats it. Cool, right? You could record my voice and fall asleep to it!” “I would not stop having nightmares.” quipped Blueberry Milk, “So you can't say that, it's a holiday and im a lady. You don't bully ladies on holiday’s.” Pure Sugar bickered back, Divine Flour fought back a smirk at their sibling-like quip, as did Rich Spice and probably Sea Salt.
“Alright you two! Break it up!” Rich Spice said, picking up one of the presents, “This one’s for little old me! And to save your eardrums–” Pure Sugar interrupted as he began to tear into it“I GAVE YOU THAT ONE.” “--Pure Sugar gifted– right, yeah.” Rich Spice was given a smirk from Pure Sugar as he continued to rip it open, revealing three necklaces. One of large dark wooden beads, a long-ish chain with a pendant of a river, and a short one of earth-toned beads. “I LOVE IT!” He exclaimed, already putting them on over the necklaces he had on before.
After that, he grinned and passed a present to Sea Salt, "Here's to you, man!” Divine Flour caught sight of the wrapping paper and quickly added, “Oh, I gave you that one. I hope you like it.” Inside was a lavender candle– a fairly sized one, “It calms me down, so I figured perhaps it would calm you and your troops down?” she said, “Thank you, Divine Flour.” The knight’s gratitude was easily intercepted, he took the lid off and took a whiff. “Im certain it will, it smells delightful.” The Saint Of Volition smiled.
Rich Spice spoke, “This is for you, Pure Sugar!, from Divine Flour herself.” he slid the present over to Pure Sugar, who squealed and ripped the wrapping paper, revealing a little handmade blanket with pink, orange and white shades. “THANK YOU!!! AWH, IT'S JUST PERFECT!!” She held it against her chest tightly, “Of course, one of the cookies that wanted a wish said they had made blankets… So I asked and they made me this for you!” Flour shared as Sugar still fawned over the blanket.
“Lets see what Knowledge boy granted us all…starting with me!” Rich Spice declared, picking one of the gifts that had little constellation doodles on it, picking at its wrapping. Blueberry Milk stared at the Herald for a long moment,
“Please, do not call me that ever again.”
The Herald had just grinned up at him and tore it open. A stack of brand-new records of different genres but similar to his taste was there and yet again, he marveled at the sight of them. “Wow. Oh my god.” he gaped, “Thank you. Thank youthankyouTHANKYOU!!” The Herald Of Change’s voice raised an octave higher with the biggest grin yet. He cleared his throat and reached down to grab another one of the constellation doodle filled boxes, checking the tag.
“Heres to you, O Divine Flour!” “Wh.--whats with the nicknames?” She questioned, an edge of amusement to her tone as the box was slid over, Rich Spice giving a small shrug and a smirk. She chortled a little before piercing it open. The box opened and in it revealed a heating pad, she glanced up. “Oh, thank you dearly, Blueberry!” her gratitude was apparent. Blueberry Milk shot her a smirk and a thumbs up, “You always complain about aches and pains. So I figured, what could help?” he shrugged as Rich Spice slid a present over to Sea Salt. “Lets see what our dear old Fount gave the Knight…” Sea Salt, behind the helmet, just raised an eyebrow as he picked apart the wrapping paper. Inside was a medium sized leather notebook, with the leather having little patterns and the word 'solidarity’ carved onto it. “Thank you, Blueberry Milk. This’ll come in handy.” Said the knight. “Oh, sure!” Responded The Fount Of Knowledge.
Rich Spice turned to Pure Sugar and wordlessly slid a present over with, you guessed it, constellation doodles on it. She wasted no time diving into it and ripping the intricate designs apart. Taking out a BIG pair of heatless curlers, she squealed “OH. MY. WITCHES. HOW'D YOU KNOW I WANTED THESE???” She squealed, she seemed awfully giddy at the mere sight of heatless curlers of all things… “I just pay attention, maybe you could do it someday!” Blueberry Milk responded without a stutter, Pure Sugar did a double-take, but was still very grateful for the curlers, so she didn't quip back THIS time…
Rich Spice chuckled as he just picked up all of Sea Salt’s presents, “This ones…” he checked the tag, “For the saint!” he reached over to pass the present, Sea Salt watched menacingly as she opened it with nimble fingers. “Oh!” she perked up, pulling it out of its box, being a 5 books of Earthbread’s Many Histories & More!: History Collection. “Thank you, Sea Salt! I’ve been meaning to get these…” she thanked, murmuring the forgotten task under her breath. Sea Salt responded with a simple nod.
Rich Spice wordlessly slid another gift to Pure Sugar, who gave a faux gasp, “FOR ME??” she bat her eyelashes before ripping it open, being a warm fuzzy pink sweater with a few angel markings on it, “Hm! I suppose you are a good gift giver!” she said in thanks, Sea Salt giving a thumbs up, “I know i am”.
Rich Spice threw a gift at Blueberry Milk, “THINK FAST.” The Herald shouted, Milk just barely caught it, letting out a squeak as he did so. Rich Spice just grinned as Blueberry Milk stared at him like ‘what in the witches name was THAT.’ Before sighing and opening it, being a pair of gloves for the snow with little star dangly things that were just there for decoration, “You…are one insightful virtue, and it scares me a little bit.” Said The Fount, putting one on and stretching his fingers, “Thank you, truly.” he said, expressing his gratitude in a small smile.
Sea Salt gave another thumbs up. Rich Spice cracked his knuckles as he didnt even say anything, just letting the ripping of the wrapping paper as he tore it apart to reveal his gift do the talking. “Ah-ha!” he said with glee, the gift being a large satchel made of fine leathers, precise stitching and fine buckles, “This’ll do nicely for my travels! Thanks to you!” he chortled, Sea Salt giving a double thumbs up now.
“Now, to all of my favorite comrades.” He chucked one of his presents to each of them, and when they all opened them, they were just…trinkets? Or small objects, “When i saw all these things i thought of you guys, so i want you guys to have them!” “That…seemed awfully lazy, but thoughtful.” Said Sea Salt. “Oh yeah? Gathering loads of trinkets for 4 amazing, beautiful, gorgeous virtues to their own liking is LAZY? Not to mention over the course of 365 days! You wound me!” Spice said in faux-offense, Sea Salt just raised two hands in surrender as he scoured through the box of trinkets.
“Oh my witches…how–how many are in–” “Eight thousand and some.” Divine Flour was interrupted by Rich Spice, she just had to look at him, flabbergasted and shocked. “In–IN MINE?” she said, actually scared. “No! No– In total! I mean, i could get eight thousand and–” “No thats– this is enough, thank you, its very thoughtful.” She quickly thanked, more enthralled (or rather intimidated) by the number of trinkets he packed into one box as she looked through them.
“I must say, is this really how you see me? As a bunch of trinkets?” Said Pure Sugar, “All these things reminded me of you during my travels, were you not listening to me?” Rich Spice countered, “I mean its kind of hard to listen to you when about, oh i dont know, two thousand mini trinkets that are apparently like me–” The Bringer suddenly looked at them and leaned forwards into the box, squinting.
“Actually, yeah, you were right, these are so me.” The Herald chortled, “Told ya.”
Blueberry Milk then began a question “This is impeccable, how did you even manage to do this–im not even concerned with how much space this’ll take up in my spire, im just curious.” “Well,” began Rich Spice, “Its a delicate process, truly for the most imaginative deep-thinkers of Earthbread.” he boasted about himself, “But its a simple ordeal really, you just go around and if you pay close enough attention, you can find two thousand little trinkets that remind you of your closest colleagues over the course of 365 days!” He leaned back, crossing his arms as he watched his friends look through the boxes– Flour with confusion but also affection and love, Sugar and Blueberry with astonishment, and Sea Salt seemed grateful. Blueberry nodded, noting that down mentally.
They had conversations about the trinkets, and poked fun at Rich Spice occasionally, before they all went off to a guest room in the Ivory Pagoda to rest for the night. All of them saying their goodnights and thanking who and who for a present again. And as Divine Flour laid in her own bed, her hands on her stomach as she stared up at the ceiling and thought about the exchange, she could not notice the way her bones ached– for only glee and love flowed freely through her gut and nerves. She couldn't wait until the next holiday, or just next time they all met up and got together. With those thoughts in her head, circling around like a pleasant halo, or a lazy river, she drifted off into a peaceful slumber.
And in the morning, they would leave the Ivory Pagoda, one by one with the gifts they had been granted, back to their respective places of rest, and back to their routines. Until next time.