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It was not that Pure Vanilla Cookie was irritated, per say. No, no, not at all! It was simply that... Well, the war was over, yes, there was just one, small, miniscule thing... Shadow Milk Cookie, to be specific. It all really started a few months ago...
The Beasts had returned to their domains, defeated and plotting, most likely. Pure Vanilla had fully expected Shadow Milk to do so- He had seemed bitter after the battle, and the fact that the healer had persisted in his efforts to become friends with his Beast.
What Pure Vanilla had not expected was that Shadow Milk would appear in his room one night, unbidden, as the healer had just laid to rest. The Beast was immaculate, as always, when he had simply teleported into Pure Vanilla’s room.
“Pure Vanilla Cookie~! I thought now would be as best a time as ever!” Hearing Shadow Milk’s voice jolted Pure Vanilla up from where he lay, and he quickly reached for his staff, letting the orchid’s eye open to look at the Beast.
“Sh-Shadow Milk Cookie? What are you-”
“Just stopped by to visit, ‘Nills! After all, it’s noon-” Shadow Milk pauses and looks outside, where it was clearly nearing midnight. “Oh. Time difference! I’ve never actually been to Crispia, y’know?” He giggled before floating a bit closer to the healer as Pure Vanilla pulled the covers over his form.
“I-I- Yes, I suppose so- But, my dear, what are you doing here?” Pure Vanilla squeaks out. He adjusts the covers yet again, not showing anything indecent.
“What, can’t I visit my friend?” Shadow Milk mocks the other’s voice before plopping down at the foot of Pure Vanilla’s bed. He grins, wide and unnerving until he finally says, “Piece it together yet, silly?”
“...You... You...?” The healer says hopefully before sitting on his knees and scooting closer to the Beast. Shadow Milk merely ruffles the other’s hair, then leans closer.
“Yup! After all, as the Truthless Recluse, didn’t you say you’d stay forever at my side? Maaaaaybe I want to cash in that promise~”
At that, Pure Vanilla frowns and deflates a bit before sitting back against the headboard of his bed. “Shadow Milk Cookie, you know I’m not him anymore-”
“Mm-hmm!” Shadow Milk’s grin widens, if possible. Though, in his chest he feels something twist at the sight of Pure Vanilla’s defeated expression. He rolls his eyes, all of them, before saying, “’Nilly, take it or leave it. I know you’re not him – unfortunately– and I lost a war! ME! Who’d have thought? Obviously, you’re just going to keep on persisting and be annoying, so why not get this over with?”
“Ah,” The healer smiles and pulls his knees to his chest, “Then you are fine with us... Being friends? Truth and Deceit?”
Shadow Milk just leans forward and lays on his stomach, legs swinging wildly and the bells on his heeled feet jingling with each movement. He props his chin in his palms and grins once more. “Yep, ‘Nilla. Is it such a surprise?”
“Of course it is, Shadow Milk. You are... Stubborn, to say the least. And my last visit to the Spire...”
“Ah, ah! We don’t mention that alright?” He tuts and smirks. “Your last visit just adds some... Dramatics to my backstory, doesn’t it?”
“I... Suppose yes.” Pure Vanilla gives a faint smile before he sighs. “It is quite late for your declaration, though. It’s nearing-”
“The Witching Hour! I know!” Shadow Milk claps his hands. “Why not stay awake all night? Neither of us need sleep, Vanilly! Sleeping is for the mortals,” The Beast says with a grin, his canines sharpening in the dim light of several candles and moonlight.
“We may not need sleep, yes, but it is something I am used to. If I were to stay awake, Shadow Milk, I’d be groggy in the morning. It is a way to recharge after a long day.”
“Bo-ring!” Shadow Milk voices, flipping to lie on his back and stare at the ceiling. “Gosh, ‘Nilly, you really need a change in pace once in a while!” He giggles and glances at the healer.
“I did have a change, my dear. I Awakened-”
“Hey! What did we say about your time in my Spire?”
“Ah, I apologize, Shadow Milk.”
“Good!... Now, I suppose you will be sleeping... And I’m not going to wait for you to wake up...” Shadow Milk pursed his lips and rolled his eyes before he floated off the bed. “I’ll be taking my leave then! You’ll be too busy... Ugh, sleeping... So! I’m returning to my Spire!”
“I see.” Pure Vanilla smiled, his eyes twinkling with mirth. “I apologize for not having the time to entertain you, dear. But I look forward to our next meeting, yes?”
“Yeah, yeah, whatever! Get some shut eye or something!” Shadow Milk cackles and teleports out. And just like that, all was right in the world.
At least, for a while.
Then, the war, of course. Dark Enchantress Cookie was defeated, and each of the Beasts returned to their domains, plotting and such.
Not Shadow Milk Cookie.
No, he just moved into the castle after their little chat of becoming “friends”. Pure Vanilla Cookie was actually fine with it, ecstatic even.
It’s just that his friends weren’t.
And thus, the meeting. They’d all gathered in the semi-ruined Vanillian castle, speaking about what to do with their respective Beasts. Back into the Silver Tree’s Seal? Shadow Milk vigorously disagreed with that. As did Hollyberry and White Lily Cookie, surprisingly. But Dark Cacao and Golden Cheese believed their own Beasts should be sealed, as well as the others.
And thus, once again, an argument.
A petty, stupid argument.
One that, of course, Pure Vanilla Cookie was mediating.
White Lily Cookie and Hollyberry Cookie were on one side of their large table, and Dark Cacao Cookie and Golden Cheese Cookie on the other; both sides were yelling. Was it just Vanilla, or was everyone more short-fused nowadays? The snake that curled around his neck – Shadow Milk Cookie – squeezed lightly and rested his snout in the crook of the healer’s neck.
“They’re yelling, ‘Nilly.” The snake hissed in his ear before their eyes fluttered closed. Surprisingly, Shadow Milk was relatively cold, curling around his neck. Pure Vanilla felt the need to actually warm him up, but wouldn’t it look bad if the snake he was covering with his long hair was revealed?
“I know, my dear.”
“Why not ssssstop them?” The Beast’s tongue flicks out, tasting the air contentedly. Shadow Milk seemed to like this form of his, and if Vanilla ever went out, the jester insisted on attending with him in his snake form.
“They’re my friends. And what am I supposed to say? I don’t want to seem harsh or rude if I side with any of them.”
“Jeez, ‘Nills. You’re so... Sweet.” The snake made a gagging noise. Pure Vanilla sighed and brushed his hand through his hair, covertly tapping the snout of Shadow Milk. He can feel the other’s tail curl around his finger and he chuckles softly.
“Pure Vanilla Cookie! Tell them how horrible your Beast is!” Golden Cheese exclaims, pulling the healer back into the argument. “He must be, from what we’ve heard! Oh, and he was so dastardly in the war!”
Dark Cacao nods his head; the dragons on his shoulders seeming restless. “Yes, that is true. Was he not the one who cast the illusions of the Beasts’ bodies, faking their death’s?”
“H-He was,” Pure Vanilla nods, then amends once Shadow Milk tightens around his neck. “B-But I’m sure he had a good reason! Were they not all friends like we are now?” sure he had a good reason! Were they not all friends like we are now?”
“Wrong answer, ‘Nillssss. But whatever. I don’t associate with them anymore!”
“A good reason?” Golden Cheese huffs, turning to the other two who oppose her argument. “My own Beast ripped my wings off! It was horrible!”
“I-I’m not saying it wasn’t horrible-”
“My Beast turned most of my Kingdom to flour,” Dark Cacao sighs.
“Well,” Hollyberry chimes in, holding her shield much more than normal. “Eternal Sugar Cookie seemed like she had good intentions, just that the way she carried it out seemed... Not the best. But I believe that she is up for redemption! As long as I’m with her at all times...”
“Silent Salt Cookie as well,” White Lily nods. “He helped us during the war, and once embodied Solidarity. I believe he’d be content to try redemption.”
“But they’re all Beasts for a reason! They abandoned their virtues!” Golden Cheese grits her teeth, wings tense. “They are despicable-”
“No, just-” Vanilla tries but is cut off. Again.
“They’re not fine, of course, but we can help them!” Hollyberry steamrolls ahead.
“A-And, I don’t think we should seal them again-” White Lily inputs.
“Are you telling me I should let the Beast that nearly crumbled my Kingdom to roam free-?!” Dark Cacao snarls, opening his mouth for another retort, only for him to get cut off.
By Pure Vanilla Cookie.
“By all the Witches, just SHUT UP! ALL OF YOU!” Pure Vanilla snaps, pupils thinning to slits and darkening a fair amount that -... Well, it’s certainly not a very Pure Vanilla thing to do.
Which is why, immediately, everyone is quiet, staring with wide eyes at the healer.
Though now, under the gazes of all his dearest friends, he feels he made a mistake. He shouted. He doesn’t do that. No, no, that was a mistake, just his emotions slipping through – He didn’t snap! He was fine, and-
“Pure Vanilla Cookie... What happened to you in the Spire of Deceit?” White Lily whispers, looking at him warily.
“I second that,” Hollyberry murmurs.
“Me as well.” Golden Cheese says, crossing her arms. Dark Cacao nods, though a bit more starstruck than anything else.
“I-I, well-” Pure Vanilla flusters and of course, the cherry on top is the hiss of his sneaky snake that now fills the room since it was silent.
“My oh my! That was pure Truthless Recluse! ‘Nilly, oh, I loved that with every fiber of my being!” Shadow Milk’s hiss is heard clearly, and it seems he wants to make himself apparent now. “Maybe I do have some hope in dragging you back over to Deceit~!”
“Pure - Pure Vanilla Cookie... What was that?” Dark Cacao asks, his hand going to the hilt of his blade. “I heard a familiar voice-”
“Oh, look at that, we have a smart-Alec in the crowd! Applause, applause!” Shadow Milk slithers out from underneath the healer’s hair, falling to the table with a dull thump.
Oh dear. Oh no. Oh no, oh no, why did Shadow Milk-?
“S-Shadow Milk! Get back here!” Pure Vanilla tries and fails to grab the snake as the reptile just sneaks out of his grasp, enough to slither across the table, capturing everyone’s attention.
The Beast curls up into a coil, seemingly prepared to strike if need be. “My, my, my... You all are arguing! If that isn’t one of the most amusing thing...Well, then I don’t know what is!”
“Shadow Milk-!” Pure Vanilla stutters and lunges onto the table. Shadow Milk darts out of the way, falling to the floor. He hits the ground with a thump and slithers out of the council room.
The other Ancients, startled from Pure Vanilla’s outbursts, now turn to see Shadow Milk fleeing.
And, unfortunately, they take the whole situations the wrong way.
After all, seeing a Beast Cookie appear – albeit in the form of a snake – mock them, seeing the Beast’s other half lunge for them, and then flee?
Well.
Makes sense to run after them?
No?
🌟
Shadow Milk snorts as he releases his grip over his shapeshifting, instead returning to his original form. Black harlequin outfit, ruffles galore, grinning with his whole damn face. Perfect! Absolutely perfect.
It was quite fun to rile up those Ancients... Why not do some more?
He hums as he floats down the halls, muttering off illusion spells and smirking as he did so. It was one of his more complicated spells, making the illusions actually real- You couldn’t just wave a hand through it, and it would disappear, these would... Well, they’d give the effect of being truly real.
He also gave each their own personality. Just to make things more confusing, right? Totally. He grins at the three others before sending them scurrying off through the Vanilla Castle, hopefully leading those Ancients (and hopefully Pure Vanilla Cookie) on a wild goose chase.
Today was going to be oh-so much fun.
🌟
Pure Vanilla Cookie paces the room, his friends watching him. “Why did he have to... No, he wouldn’t... Goodness...” He murmurs under his breath. He turns back around and looks at the other Ancients, lips pursed. He purposefully avoids the gazes of the other four cookies who were held bound by their sides.
“Pure Vanilla Cookie,” Dark Cacao starts with a grunt, “Are you going to explain?”
“What, pray tell, should I explain?” The look in the healer’s eyes are sly, and his voice is absolutely genuine. But it’s such a... Well, non-Pure Vanilla thing to say.
“Stop that,” White Lily steps forward, glaring at her own bound captive. She returns her gaze to Pure Vanilla. “Please. All we want to know is... Well, what happened in the Spire of Deceit, and who they are” She jerks her head toward three of the bound cookies. “And what he is doing here.” She glances at Shadow Milk, held in silver vines. The Beast just smirks and blinks his eyes – all of them – innocently.
The other three? Pure Vanilla surely couldn’t explain those.
“Why should he? I mean, aren’t I responsible for my own actions?” Shadow Milk Cookie pipes in. “And, they aren’t a ‘they’, they’re me!” He grins wide. The other three, each observing with expressions varying from intense curiosity to pure boredom, look up.
One of them was dressed in a rich, magenta and gold robe, hair shorn short, and a crown upon his head. He had defined eyebags and was yawning faintly. One of his eyes was a pale turquoise, the other a dark navy. His robes had similar markings to that of Eternal Sugar Cookie. His Soul Jam was pinned to his white and gold collar, half pink, half its normal blue. Hollyberry Cookie was the one who had this... King... Bound beside her.
The next was wearing a pristine, gold and white vest, crisp white flared pants, and dark golden heels. His hair was akin to dawn or dusk, flowing behind him before being cinched into a ponytail at the end. This version of Shadow Milk Cookie blinked large, curious eyes, the right gold and the left a royal blue. This one’s Soul Jam was pinned in a brooch similar to the original Shadow Milk’s, and the same color. This one floated next to Golden Cheese Cookie, with a staff trained on his neck. He didn’t even seem to notice the weapon, instead watching the scene with excitement. He was also smiling faintly.
The last one, the quietest, has downcast eyes, the same gold and blue as the last version. But this one – with galaxy hair sectioned into three parts, a tiny milk crown upon his hair, three white strands sticking out, and black and gold robes – he seemed to know what was going on here. A staff leaned against a wall, with the Cookie’s Soul Jam. Same color, yes, but this one was upturned, just as Pure Vanilla’s is. He sits on the floor, Dark Cacao beside him, not bound, but knowing his fate.
“Shadow Milk Cookie,” Pure Vanilla begins, stepping forward. “Can you please explain?” He nods to the three bound Cookies. “I don’t believe... Well, my dear, I don’t believe I’ve met these three.” He chuckles.
“Hmm... Must I?” Shadow Milk Cookie smirks and leans back, head against the wall and looking up at the ceiling. “And do you think you’re the only one with questions?”
“You have questions?” Dark Cacao raises a brow.
“No, silly.” Shadow Milk giggles, closing his eyes, and takes an expression of complete bliss. “Sage, dearest, you may speak now~”
“Sage-?” Hollyberry whispers before the version of Shadow Milk next to Golden Cheese takes a deep inhale.
And he lets it all out.
“Who are you all? Why are we here? Where is here? Why are you holding us captive? Did we do something horrible? Oh, perhaps it was murder! Did we murder someone? Are you the authorities? Oh, wait, aren’t we the authorities? Fount, aren’t we the authorities?”
Fount – the one with downcast eyes – looks up and levels Sage with a tired look before responding in a soft voice. “Yes, Sage. You have your followers, I am a Virtue, which is akin to a God, and... Ah, I believe Ad-Lib is a King, correct?” Fount looks to the last Shadow Milk version.
This one looks up and rolls his eyes. “I’m a King whenever Sweets needs me to be,” He spits out the words with venom. “Otherwise, I’m an actor first and foremost. Thus is my tale of tragedies~!” He says in a sing-song voice.
“Oh. Alright. Okay... So. Does this mean Ad-Lib is going to jail?”
“WHAT? WHY ME?”
“Because you’re the only one who isn’t technically an authority!” Sage chirps before sending a sugary sweet smile to the actor. “And maybe I’m hoping you go to jail.”
“WHY?” Ad-Lib takes several steps forward, and Hollyberry Cookie doesn’t stop him. Ad-Lib continues to stomp over to Sage, before grabbing one of the other’s blue colored scroll-like coattails and yanking him down. “Why do you want that, Sage of Truth?”
“Ack- Hey!” Sage pushes Ad-Lib back and crosses his arms. Golden Cheese Cookie makes no move to stop her own captive, similar to Hollyberry. Perhaps due to the fact that all attention had been shifted to the Shadow Milks. “And why use my title like its derogatory? It is, in fact, not.”
“Might as well be,” Ad-Lib mutters under his breath. “Why, oh why,” The actor ground out, “Would you pray upon such a thing?”
“Perhaps it's payback for last month.”
“Last month? Are you still on that?”
“Of course I am! You cannot expect me to forget such a thing!”
And, while Ad-Lib opens his mouth to argue, probably leading to something that wouldn’t be great to hear, Shadow Milk – the original – dissolves into shadows, slipping through the vines that bound him. The shadows slink over to Pure Vanilla Cookie, slithering up the other’s white and gold robes. Seems the Beast was back to hiding once more, back around Pure Vanilla’s neck. A snake again.
“-And that is why you should put Ad-Lib in the clanker!” The Sage of Truth finishes off.
“...Urrrghh,” Ad-Lib releases the truth teller, stands back and massages the bridge of his nose. “Did you have to make a list of all the reasons why I should be put away?”
“Yes, I did.”
“...Are you two finished?” Fount sighs.
“Probably not.” The actor sniffs.
“You two do realize that these five – Plus Shadow Milk – heard your whole argument? And watched quite closely?”
“...”
“...”
“Goodness,” The Fount stands up, Dark Cacao making no moves to stop him either, and crosses to the other two. He waves a hand and his staff – the one that leaned against the wall flew over, now resting in his hands. He looks between the two and then, astoundingly, he bonks both on the head and scowls. “We both now I am not one for violence, I despise it-”
The Ancients exchange exasperated, surprised and outraged expressions.
“-But I need to refocus both of you. What if you had said something bad? Particularly what the “incident” was? I believe we all mutually agreed that we wouldn’t talk about that.”
“But- But-” Sage whines. A version of Shadow Milk Cookie whines. The Ancients all now deadpan, except for Pure Vanilla who shuts his eyes, takes several breaths and tries to calm himself.
Shadow Milk, curled around the Ancient’s neck, hisses. “It’s drama in its finest form. You can laugh, ‘Nilly.”
“I... I apologize,” Pure Vanilla swallows, and the snake watches Vanilla’s Adam’s Apple with precision. Shadow Milk’s snout bops against it before unhinging his jaw and biting.
He bites his neck.
“Ow-?!” Pure Vanilla squeaks out, flinching from the nip. “Shadow Milk, what was-”
He bites again.
“Ah- Please, stop,”
“Noooooooo...~”
“...Oh my goodness, that’s not fair!” Sage says, rather loudly and grabs both Ad-Lib's and Fount’s faces, one in each hand, and directs the attention straight to Pure Vanilla and Shadow Milk. “SHADOW MILK.”
“...Oh dear,” Whispers Fount.
“...So, fuck you too.” Ad-Lib frowns and throws both hands up in a vulgar gesture.
“Eheh,” Shadow Milk releases his bite on Pure Vanilla’s neck, and grins – at least, as much as a snake could grin. “Sorry boys~”
“He doesn’t love us,” Sage sniffles and wraps his arms around the other two. Fount looking amused and Ad-Lib scoffing.
“No need to be so dramatic,” Says the actor, pushing away from them. “We all know his relations with... Him.”
“W-With him...?” Pure Vanilla says nervously, pressing two fingers to the bites on his neck and healing them. Coming from Shadow Milk, his other half, any wounds inflicted could be healed, but they would scar. So now he had four small white dots on his neck. Faintly, he thought that it could resemble a necklace. If he were to ever wear something that didn’t have a collar.
“Yes,” said the Sage. “We all know how he loves and adores you and doesn’t look back on us! It’s horrible!” He presses a hand to his head and leans against Fount.
“Shut. Up.” Shadow Milk hisses, raising his head and moving his piercing gaze to the three whose voices immediately faded away. As if they literally could not speak.
Ad-Lib snarls, though soundless, and stomps his foot before throwing up double vulgar gestures – again. Sage just throws his head back and sends a silent wail to the world. Fount sighs and wraps an arm around Sage’s waist, holding the other against him; then, he looks to Shadow Milk and taps his throat.
“Fine. You can talk. Just don’t say anything like those two would.” Shadow Milk rolls his eyes and then lays his snout down, back against Pure Vanilla’s neck. Vanilla, in turn, flushes and the grip on his staff tightens.
“Thank you.” Fount sighs and clears his throat. “Proper introductions, yes?” He looks at the Ancients. They all merely slowly blink their response. “Ah. Well, I am the Fount of Knowledge, Virtue of Knowledge, and Emissary of our Gods, the Divine Witches.” He bows his head gently.
“My... Associates... Are the Sage of Truth,” He gestures to the Shadow Milk in his arms, blinking wide, tear-filled eyes. “And An Ad-Lib Ending. He prefers Ad-Lib though.”
“I see...” Pure Vanilla Cookie murmurs, before glancing down at the snake around his neck. “And you? Why are they here? Apologies- But what even are they?”
“Illusions with a bit more juice poured into ‘em~! Really, they’re from my imagination. Either from the past, the somewhat present, or... Well, I just love to make personas!” He smiles a sharp toothed grin.
“The Sage lives on a town on the edge of the Peak of Truth. The Truthless Recluse is there occasionally, and visits him.” Says Fount. Hearing Recluse’s name, Sage stands up fast, bonking his head with Fount’s.
“O-Ow,” the emissary rubs his forehead before continuing. “Ad-Lib is an actor for Ink for A Tragicomedy,” Ad-Lib, hearing that name, snarls silently. “Or rather, Eternal Sugar Cookie. She’s quite the writer. I’ve read some of her works. Though, Ad-Lib never fails to change the endings he despises, thus, ad-libbing.” Fount gives a small smile at his pun.
Hollyberry Cookie on the other hand, looks completely astounded. “What- Eternal Sugar Cookie? You know- What am I saying? Of course you know Eternal Sugar Cookie.” She sighs and looks away. “I never imagined she’d write. At least, she doesn’t... Well, she doesn’t seem as though she’d have the motivation to write.”
“Of course! She’s far too lazy to do any of that~” Shadow Milk winks. “And besides, only that version of Sweets exists in my mind! Too bad, huh? I’ll give her your regards next time I sneak into her Garden of Delights~!”
“You’ve... Snuck into her Garden-?”
“AAAANYWAYS, besides that!” Shadow Milk snaps, falling off Pure Vanilla’s neck, then slithering from the floor, to curl loosely around the Fount of Knowledge’s arm. “I believe its time for us to make our departure! My little illusions will be active for another week or so, due to making such a complex illusion! Buh-Bye now~!”
The snake flicks his tail, and underneath Ad-Lib, Sage, and Fount, a portal appears. Shadow Milk says one last thing before disappearing into his other realm:
“See ya next week, ‘Nilly!”
...
And then they’re gone.
“What... What the fuck was that?”
🌟