Chapter Text
It wasn't every day that you woke up in a body that wasn't yours in a place you didn't recognize.
It also wasn't every day that said body was a cookie.
Or at least, that was what he suspected, given the shape and... feeling... of his body– and also the way these other people used Cookie like it was a last name. Though he hadn't confirmed that part yet, maybe it was his last name. He didn't have many examples for comparison just yet. Considering that he had only just woken up and tried to figure out what the fuck was happening.
He figured he would make use of the name he instinctively knew he had been given, no matter how nonsensical it was. He would be here for a while, so getting used to the name would only do him good until he inevitably got out. Shadow Milk thought his new name was stupid, but he digressed. (Seriously, what kind of flavor even was that, if this world was cookie themed? Spoiled milk???)
Beyond his name, he didn't really know much more– he was thrown right into the lion's den with no info beyond his new name and the fact that he was blue.
Very helpful, very cool, thanks.
But it was fine.
Letting out an annoyed groan, he threw himself back onto the bed he had woken up in. Two people– cookies?– had come up to his room a few minutes after he had and had asked him if he had any new orders for them. Weird, but okay. Nothing had changed, so he said as much.
Shadow Milk wondered who these people were to him. Who he was to them. Master, lord? Some high-ranking noble, maybe? Maybe his life here would be easy?
And what would he have to do here?
And why here?
He had heard about these types of stories before, but he hadn't read or played or even watched any stories like this lately– or ever. He was pretty sure. Maybe he had seen it in passing and some bullshit system had seen that as him knowing the full story??
Well, or they were just having fun watching him squirm. He wouldn't be surprised.
He looked up at the ceiling with an irritated frown and lifted his arm to poke at the air, trying to get a reaction of some kind. From whoever had sent him here. But, as predicted, nothing appeared even now.
“Seriously? Not even a word? Not even a sorry we ruined your life or a here's how to get back home–” he bit out, then sat up. “Will I have to figure this out on my own? For fuck's sake, useless gnat...”
Well.
Sulking around in his room probably wouldn't answer any questions he had.
He would have to find the answers himself.
A part of himself, the part that had always enjoyed learning, felt excited at such a mystery. The other part was just annoyed.
Shaking his head, he stood up and tried to walk over to the door– while trying to figure out how to walk with these... legs... if they could even be called that. He didn't really feel balanced at all and his legs just didn't want to cooperate.
He wouldn't think about the several times he faceplanted ever again. Until it happened again. At which point he would lock it up in his mind again. Nope. (At least no one was around to see it. Have fun explaining that.)
Still, he felt way too unsteady on his legs even when he figured out how to balance himself... somewhat. Not perfectly. Could be worse. Yeah.
The next thing he found out that this building he was in was confusing. And was probably trying to mess with him because he was sure he had walked through the same corridor like three separate times already. And he could swear that the ground had risen up to trip him at least once– he was walking around on unsteady legs, but that fall had come out of nowhere!
“My lord?”
Oh thank god.
Maybe he could ask him for help.
...On second thought, maybe that wasn't the smartest idea.
He turned around with a confident grin on his face as he looked at the purple cookie he had already seen earlier. Idly, he wondered what his flavor was supposed to be. And if it was just as stupid as his own. (He still couldn't get over Shadow Milk.)
“...Seeing you walking around... is quite a surprise.”
What else would he do??
It's not like he could–
Oh.
Well, that explained a lot.
The weird feeling in his bones– skin– dough??– ugh, whatever– in his body.
The weakness in his legs.
He looked around consideringly. “So does that mean this tower is fucking with me then?” he muttered under his breath, ignoring the way the other cookie tilted his head.
He had felt the same energy all around him since he had stepped into the hallway.
Another thing to figure out... lovely...
“...Is there something I can do for you, my lord?”
Shadow Milk shook his head. “No, no,” he said, “I'm just going to go to the uh... library.”
He had one of those here, right?
There BETTER fucking be a place that explained all this to him.
The cookie furrowed his eyebrows. “The... library?” he asked carefully, “Excuse my ignorance, but... can you not teleport there? The Spire bends to your will alone...”
Oh, is that so?
A gleeful grin spread over his face.
He couldn't wait to figure out how to control it. And then it would pay. (How would he get revenge on a building? Great question that he would consider at a later date. For now, he liked the thought of being able to get revenge.)
“Of course I can,” Shadow Milk scoffed, making sure to roll his eyes to sell the act of definitely knowing who he was, what was happening and where he was currently going. “I just like the challenge, every once in a while. You wouldn't understand.”
The other cookie blinked at him. “Right,” he said, then bowed. “Well, don't let me bother you any longer, then. I just came to inform you that everything is going as planned.”
He waved his hand through the air even as he grimaced on the inside. What plan??
Well, for better or for worse he would probably find out soon.
For now he had a library to find.
After a while, the Spire seemed to take pity on him and showed him the way with big pointy arrows. Which was a little insulting, but unfortunately helpful. He was still mad at its earlier attempts at confusing him, though.
He stepped inside and for a moment, just stood there in awe. Rows and rows of books, an almost ethereal glow lighting them up, arranged by– in no particular order? What kind of librarian just put books wherever?? Where would he find the books on magic now???
Take a deep breath, Shadow Milk.
He could figure this out on his own, it was no big deal.
He grabbed one of the first books he saw.
Page after page of nonsense. Gibberish.
One sentence would begin, another would stop.
Words scrambled beyond recognition.
He slammed the book shut and grabbed another.
Repeat.
Slam.
Repeat.
Slam.
Fury slowly rose up within him.
Repeat.
The Blueberry Kingdom was known for its Steampunk–
He may be from another world and had no idea how this one worked but even he knew this was ridiculous! There was even a picture right there, contradicting the information he had just been given!
Having had enough of it all, he angrily threw the book to the ground– not his proudest moment, but come on!
...Unfortunately, as it hit the ground, it bounced right off it and hit him in the face.
He stumbled back a step and soon after, heard the normal thud of a book hitting the ground.
His jaw clenched, eye twitching as his forehead ached from the impact.
Shadow Milk pointed an accusing finger at the ceiling. “Is this funny to you??”
Something creaked in response.
He was sure it was supposed to be a laugh.
“WHEN I GET MY HANDS ON YOU–”
He cut himself off and took a deep breath.
Whatever.
It didn't matter.
It was just a stupid sentient building with a stupid attitude.
He should–
Shadow Milk looked over to the door and froze.
The red cookie from before was staring at him with blank eyes, likely having witnessed his outburst.
“Uh, hi?” he greeted her nervously, feeling slightly– very– embarrassed.
She was silent for a while, maybe processing what she had just witnessed. Then, she lit up and jumped over to him. “Hi! Master Shadow Milk Cookie, it's working! They're here! Black Sapphire Cookie told me that you were here and didn't want to be disturbed but I figured what does he know?”
A very... cheerful... personality.
She leaned towards him. “Is there anything else I can do? Any tricks I can play? We talked about my part in the play already, I know– and I'm so excited! But–”
Part? In the play?
Theater production??
With what this place looked like, he wouldn't even be surprised.
He looked down at himself, the jester aesthetic.
Yeah, Shadow Milk being a theater kid wouldn't be surprising.
Luckily, he did enjoy it as well. So. This should be easier, maybe. Hopefully.
But, again, who were these two cookies? There didn't seem to be anyone else here. Or, at least, Shadow Milk hadn't seen anyone stumbling around the Spire.
Was he their lord that was also an eccentric and dramatic playwright?
He took a step back and shook his head. “Proceed as planned. If I need you to do anything else, I'll tell you myself, alright? Concentrate on the role you're already playing.”
She pouted, but backed off. “Fiiiine,” she whined.
He was glad he was at least managing fine on the Shadow Milk Personality Front.
“Now, could you please leave me alone? I have things to read.”
She stared at him in silence.
Blinked.
Even squinted her eyes.
Then stepped back, as if nothing had happened. She waved at him excitedly. “See you later, Master!”
...Or not?
He let out an exhausted sigh.
He had no point of reference for what he was doing wrong or right. Who knew, maybe he was completely misunderstanding something and the one in his body before this had actually been an asshole that had killed a bunch of people or something! Wouldn't that be something!
Haha...
A chill ran down his spine.
Shadow Milk shook his head and grabbed another book.
Opened it.
“No, you know what,” he sighed as he closed it and put it back, “That one's on me. Of course the next book wouldn't have anything helpful in it either. My bad.”
Maybe he would have more luck just searching inwardly for those energies. Or magic, or whatever. And see where that would take him.
For now, he should probably go back to his room though...
He looked at the door, then remembered the fun the Spire had been having with him all day.
Goddammit.
That was going to be a fun trip back.