Chapter Text
As if time itself had paused, I stared at his stiff face. I had made a misstep again, hadn’t I?
I glanced at her face, my instincts having known she’d be there. Timekeeper Cookie, using the air as her cushion, lounging lazily.
I tried to speak, but my mouth refused the request. My lip was trembling as I glanced up at her, waiting for the inevitable.
“So,” she hummed softly, tilting her head, “Failed again?”
My eyes fell to the ground, her gaze like a blade. A bitter smile tore at my face.
“It would seem so.”
Timekeeper Cookie grinned, crossing one leg over the other in the air.
“Oh my,” she clicked her tongue as sarcasm began to seep into her voice, “Here I thought this one would last longer, didn’t you?”
I refused to let words leave my mouth.
She began to laugh at me, her sadistic smile becoming wider.
My heart skipped a beat. I felt a bead of sweat drip down my neck.
Now floating on her back, she snapped her fingers.
“Oh, you poor cookie. You really do make the same mistakes, don’t you? It’s almost impressive. Honestly.”
“I was…I was so close.”
“Oh, yet so far!”
“...It was from a good place…”
“We’re still here, though, aren’t we?
I just bowed my head further. I couldn’t deny the truth.
“...That is because of my own failure.”
Her legs kicked behind her as she twirled her hair.
“Don’t I know.”
I winced as though she had raised her arm to hit me.
“Times ticking, you know,” She tilted her head, giggling, “It’s really repetitive, yeah? Rinse and repeat, rinse and repeat, rinse and repeat, yadda yadda yadda. Come on, Pure Vanilla Cookie!”
“I’m aware. I-”
She cut me off, her annoyance growing, “So when will you succeed? A century or two from now? Time has its consequences, you know.”
Timekeeper Cookie glanced at her nails, flicking them.
I simply just remained there, silent.
“Perhaps you need a refresher.”
“...A refresher?”
She shook her head violently, flying over and shaking my body. “Oh, yes, Pure Vanilla Cookie,” she sang, the smile never daring to leave her face, “You want a chance, hm? A different timeline. No more failures.”
“...I…”
“What? Didn’t you want a restart? You were going to beg pathetically on your knees for one, weren’t you? Admit it, you poor, poor, cookie.”
“...Yes, I…”
“But the resets are predictable. Boring.”
She snapped her fingers, a ticking sound could be heard.
A clock’s hands began to move, as golden sparks flew around the two of us.
“How about…another universe, hm?”
She flashed a smile as my vision began to fade, the world growing blurry around me.
I fell to my knees, dropping my staff, resulting in pure blindness.
As I slowly stirred, I opened my eyes. I could only tell there was light.
My fingers scrambled to search for my staff, but I could not find it. However, I could tell below my body was marble, cold and slippery.
I searched for a nearby piece of furniture, latching onto it as I pulled myself up. My face stretched into a faux smile, guiding my hand across the wall, walking through this hallway.
“Have you heard? The king himself is holding a festival!” a feminine voice whispered.
…A festival? I thought, stopping in my tracks. Perhaps it was wrong to listen, but I must know where I am.
“Oh, indeed I have. I’ve bought my children new garments to wear.” The other commented back.
Garments. I haven’t heard that term in ages. It reminded me of when I was young.
“I hope the king has prepared games.”
“You know him, of course he would!”
Suddenly, my feet had carried themself over to the voices quickly. I beamed politely, brushing my light golden hair behind my head. I hoped they wouldn’t recognize who I was.
“Excuse me,” I began in a small voice, “Would you mind telling me of the festival? I’m rather new to this kingdom, you see.”
The more feminine voice replied first, “Pleased to meet you! My name is White Lily Cookie-”
White Lily Cookie.
For a moment, I forgot how to breathe.
That must have been impossible.
She had died.
“-Is something wrong, sir? I apologize.”
I waved my hands, shaking my head. “No, no. You are fine, my dear.”
The other voice’s grin widened, I could tell in their voice, “We did not catch your name, did we? Mine is Hollyberry Cookie.”
I gagged in my mouth. Hollyberry Cookie as well? I tried to widen my smile, but I was sure it had looked fake to the two ladies. She mentioned children, too, didn’t she?
Children.
With who?
Were there not wars to fight?
She had time for children…
How?
“My name?” I decided to use a name I had already used in disguise before. “It is Healer Cookie. Sorry to push this conversation along, but…perhaps, could you answer my prior question?” I patiently inquired, my nerves causing my lip to tremble.
White Lily Cookie’s soft voice melodically laughed, “Oh my. It already slipped my mind! The festival is celebrating his majesty’s one thousandth year on the throne!”
Interesting. He must be a benevolent ruler if he’s been celebrated for that long.
Hollyberry Cookie chuckled as I heard a clap on White Lily Cookie’s shoulder, “That’s right! The king Shadow Milk Cookie always throws the greatest, doesn’t he? I’m fairly surprised you hadn’t heard of him before, Healer Cookie.”
My smile dropped from my face.
“I beg your pardon?”
“King Shadow Milk Cookie.” Hollyberry repeated, confusion clear in her voice.
No.
No, no, no.
This must be a dream.
Out of any possibility…this.
I ran a hand through my silky hair.
“Well,” I managed, the words spilling out hurriedly, “I’d best be off! I hadn’t gone shopping for the festival, after all. I hope I meet you again, dears. It was lovely chatting with you.”
Without waiting for a goodbye, I rushed off. I was not acting like myself at all today. Not that it mattered, these cookies had no idea who I was.
Somewhere above me, a familiar voice let out a giggle.
Timekeeper Cookie.