lightlesslactose

[lightlesslactose]

Something I find very interesting about Pure Vanilla and Shadow Milk is just how different they are—not just as they are now, but even in Shadow Milk's original form.

Pure Vanilla is described as compassionate. Repeatedly. Although truth and deceit are a theme of his character, the way his character focuses on said theme is largely through compassion. The compassion of telling the truth, because people deserve to know. Even his awakened form—he is not all knowing, or an impervious lie detector, but rather, compassionate. That is the description. He is compassionate, even offering genuine friendship to Shadow Milk.

Shadow Milk, on the other hand, was never described as so. We actually have quite a bit of knowledge of his original form—the fount, or more directly translated from the Korean dub, pioneer of truth. His symbol is an eye. All knowing, all seeing. He knows all. He's even described as, and I quote, "The radiance of knowledge was born to bless all that was with meaning". And how exactly was he corrupted? His own knowledge. Disenchantment with the truth. Not boredom, specifically disenchantment. Disappointment with reality. A reality that disillusioned him and drove him to darkness.

It's actually kind of interesting to me because it actually reminds me more of White Lily than Pure Vanilla, although obviously his actions are far more reprehensible than her mistakes, but I digress.

It's just so interesting because it feels different from the other ancient-beast pairs we've seen.

Golden Cheese values abundance, keeping everything and everyone she considers close, even to her own detriment. Burning Spice, on the other hand, destroys indiscriminately. Dark Cacao braves through all, fighting with his people, while Mystic Flour keeps a safe distance.

But with Pure Vanilla and Shadow Milk, one character seems much more focused on the knowledge aspect, while the other on compassion.

This even extends to the costume story.

In the Diverged Paths story, the Sage of Truth is a teacher. He spreads knowledge. Many of his voice lines are about enlightenment and academics. He wishes to share and accumulate knowledge.

The recluse, however, acts of compassion. The sage even points out that the reason for his actions was to spare others from disappointment. This is a stark contrast to corrupted Shadow Milk as we know him, who treats lying almost like a game to be won. A skill to be honed.

And so, it's even more interesting to me, the way they both best one other. Shadow Milk corrupts Pure Vanilla with knowledge, forcing him to open his eyes which had been previously closed to the harsh reality of deceit. And how does Pure Vanilla best him? By taking advantage of his starvation for companionship. Compassion.

Shadow Milk, originally a beacon of knowledge, is horrible at dealing with matters of compassion. While Pure Vanilla, a beacon of warmth and compassion, was still never one for the active pursuit of knowledge.

Just interesting parallels to me. Also makes me wonder if maybe the witches saw what a corrupted beacon of knowledge could do and said "fuck this, we're making the next one nicer"