Chapter Text
White Lily stood outside of that special place, purse slung over her shoulder. That huge building she'd spent years in. Dancing, singing songs, laughing.
Souljam Industries, or SJ for short.
Her group waited inside, probably already in the practice room. Probably already up and moving. They had no idea she was back from her hiatus, and White Lily was just so happy to be able to surprise them like this.
It had been months. As she walked into the building, she wondered how they'd fared without her. Pure Vanilla had agreed to never mention anything when he came home, out of respect for her break, but could that be a bad sign? Or was no news good news?
Still. She was going to find her friends and get prepared for the concert, it was easy. Her mental state had recovered from that awful depressive episode. Everyone was so supportive, so kind and understanding. SJ left her alone completely. Exactly what she needed.
But she was ready now.
Oh, how her fans would be over the moon!
"Hello?" She chirped, moving gently through the bright marble halls. There was music echoing from inside one of the rooms, where her group usually went to practice. She could hear voices ringing out across the hallway, and allowed herself a small smile.
"Ah-! My bad, guys!! I forgot that part!"
"You liability! I'm joking. You're great."
"Happens to the best of us."
"No worries! We'll go again! Let me restart the music..."
"Room for one more?" White Lily giggled, edging open the door and peeking her head through the crack.
An uproar of applause and cries of joy exploded from the four cookies standing in formation before her. They all ran over, beaming, and pulled their friend into the tightest of hugs.
"LILYYYYY!!" Hollyberry cheered, resting her chin on the girl's head affectionately.
"We're so happy to see you back, my love!!" Pure Vanilla tilted his head up to give his girlfriend a sweet kiss, prompting another loud round of whooping. "I so missed working with you every day..."
"Me too, Pyuba," White Lily sighed, reminiscing. This was going to be wonderful. "And I do feel much better now. How did it go while I was away...?"
"I had to cover your solos," Golden Cheese snarked, though her tone was soft. "But, you know, it really didn't feel the same without our best singer."
"Did the Beasts give you all any trouble?"
A moment of silence. Their grips loosened, and the group collectively stepped back into open space. White Lily didn't assume anything good.
"They haven't beaten us yet," Dark Cacao grumbled, arms crossed. "But they certainly weren't subtle with their smugness. Especially that vile blue clown."
"He's just jealous of our bond," Pure Vanilla frowned, fiddling with his hair. He'd always had a friendly spot in his heart for Shadow Milk, even if the feeling wasn't at all reciprocated. "It's a pity how this company treats them, really. Like afterthoughts."
White Lily nodded along, brow furrowed in thought. She didn't quite harbour the same sympathy for their rivals that her boyfriend did, but she could still understand part of why they would act like that. So vicious, and cruel. "Well, I'm back now," She offered, wrapping her braid up into a bun. "And I believe it's about time I learn the moves."
Another eager round of cheering, another timid smile from the girl. How welcoming her friends were. How good it felt to be back. Though, as she was tugged into step with the music, there was a brief moment that she caught herself wondering.
What made the Beasts so evil in the first place?
***
"Take two, idiots," Shadow Milk snarled, dyed blue hair tied up in a ponytail. "We've got to beat those freaks next concert."
"No more," Burning Spice huffed, sweat pouring down his scalp, chest heaving. "This is so boring. I'm exhausted, it's past noon, and we haven't eaten anything yet."
Eternal Sugar looked up from her phone, eyes glazed with disinterest. "You push us too hard, lovely. It's not as if we're going to win the competition anyway~"
Shadow Milk could practically feel his cheeks heating with rage. Nobody bothered listening to him these days. They never took anything he said seriously, and it was infuriating. After all, it was his job to order them around! SJ put him in charge after Silent Salt went on that blasted hiatus.
Well, got sent to prison, but still.
He wasn't here right now. Which meant that Shadow Milk was the one that had to make sure they were the best. Top of the charts. Better than those knockoff saps, the Ancients.
I'm gonna wipe that stupid little grin off of Pure Vanilla Cookie's stupid little face, he told himself, reaching up to adjust the fishnets on his tank top. One way, or another.
The Ancients. They'd stolen all the fame, all the glory, all the fans. Their "Runners", or whatever they called them. Shadow Milk hated the Runners just as much as he hated the Ancients themselves. Those thieves had brainwashed the whole world into thinking they were just the best thing ever. It was the cruel reality everyone else pretended not to see.
The Beasts were the originals. Commanding and proud. Souljam Industries picked them first, so that made them better. Pity that nobody cared enough to like the oldies.
Cookies just don't want the classics anymore, he'd told himself back then. But it's okay! They'll come back around eventually. They're our loyal Witches, after all. They know that we're the best!
How naive he was. Ew.
Surprisingly, the only one that was actually making an attempt to learn the dance was Mystic Flour. She didn't seem to be putting much effort into it, because she never did, but at least she wasn't acting defiant like the other members.
"Look at Mystie," Shadow Milk gestured sourly. "She's doing better than both of you combined!"
"Don't use me as a positive example ever again," Mystic Flour deadpanned, messy bun framing her face like a crown of ash.
"Well, screw you too, then."
"We all know the dance," Eternal Sugar craned her head back to rest it on the wall, phone screen still lit up in her hand. "I don't see much of a point to rehearsing it."
"I second that," Burning Spice groaned, already heading for the exit. "Anyone else want a sausage roll?"
"Ooh, I do~!"
"Meaningless enjoyment. But yes. I want a sausage roll."
There was a moment of pause. The group silenced, heads turned towards their fourth member. Waiting for his answer. Something about their steady gazes calmed Shadow Milk down, if only slightly.
That was stupid, though, of course. He didn't actually like these people. They weren't his friends. They were just his coworkers.
"Mmff..." He grumbled, tapping his foot on on the wooden floor. "Fine, fine, whatever. Let me put my shoes on..."
You better be prepared, Pure Vanilla Cookie. I'm gonna do something about you, and your prissy little group of princesses, even if nobody's gonna help.
You just watch me!!