#[ user ] - [ cookieofearthbread ]

[truthless-recluse]

@cookieofearthbread

How sad...

He looked down through the halls, watching Pure Vanilla Cookie stumble and bumble his way through. A sight that was all too familiar, all too haunting to him.

It was like watching a nightmare played on loop, bound to repeat because he so foolishly refused to listen. Refused to accept that perhaps.. turning back was the best court of action.

He tried, he tried to warn them with his cards. To stop this from happening but-

Inevitability was the cold, hard truth of this matter.

But maybe if he-

"You need to turn back." He spoke out, standing on a staircase just above Pure Vanilla Cookie. He kept his fortune teller robes on for the moment, but his voice.. well.. That was hard to hide.

He was not quite at Shadow Milk's level when it came to his mimicry. But he knew he'd get there eventually. But if the Healer could not recognize his own voice...

Well, perhaps he should just leave fate to be relived once more.

[light-of-passion]

@cookieofearthbread

A mug was set down in front of the knight, as well as a plate of jellies. The mug wasn't full of the usual, as much as Hollyberry Cookie believed that Financier Cookie could use a good drink of berry juice. Rather, it was tea; hot, warm, comforting.

How many meetings did the council have at this point about everything coming out of Beast-Yeast? The follow-ups with Golden Cheese and Dark Cacao? The near radio silence from Pure Vanilla and his expedition crew...

Oh, she'd lost count.

But everyone was tired, everyone was exhausted. And as always, Hollyberry was worrying over everyone present.

"How long has it been since you've eaten, Financier Cookie? Slept at all?" She couldn't help but worry. Two things never dulled with time with her.. He lust for adventure, and her strong bonds of motherhood. The later she often wished she could have taught to a certain old blowhard...

[milk-and-trickery]

@cookieofearthbread replied to your post “Naughty of Nice?”:

Pure Vanilla just staring in the background in disbelief.

​

"What's wrong Silly Vanilly… Jeeeaalloouuussss?"

[milk-and-trickery]

There was a look of pride all over Shadow Milk Cookie's face. Indeed, his beloved little cookie was so smart, and so in tune with himself now. All of that work, all of the tugging he did through out Pure Vanilla Cookie's entire life had paid off beautifully.

And right now, he was looking at his finest masterpiece. Something he'll never be able to outdo, as it will always continue to surprise him. It brought a tear to his eye, and made his jam bubble with anticipation of the future.

So many plans, and now he wouldn't work on them alone.

Alone.. such a scary word to many. But he never truly was 'alone' unlike the poor healer. Whom their own friends often abandoned or clashed against. And now, they were going to be the BEST of friends!

"Exactly, and it will be glorious to witness. And you'll get to be right along side me when we sweep the rug from under her in such a dazzling display of trickery!" He could hardly wait, but he knew to be patient. He'd been patient for ages with the healer, after all.

Still, he hummed, thinking back on that moment. Where the guardian of Wind tried fruitlessly to 'purge' the darkness from the twisted Oven.

"Better yet.." He slid off the desk and saddled up next to Truthless on the chair, one arm wrapped around him.

"Let me show you." He held one hand out, several mirrors floating before the two to depict the scene itself. A dark, ominous place took shape before them, several large casket like apparatuses were viewable. One was broken, but Truthless could easily see four figures floating in the rest.

Burning Spice... Eternal Sugar... Silent Salt... And Shadow Milk...

The very things that housed their bodies, and at the apex of the massive room, with many pipes like veins feeding into the oven, was a cookie. Before it all stood two specks in the darkness. One green, and one blue.

It was Wind Archer Cookie, and the ghostly apiration of Shadow Milk Cookie.. Taunting him.

'I WANT TO SEE THE GUARDIAN OF LIFE, DESTROYING.. LIFE!' His voice echoes as the struggle on Wind Archer's face was all too evident. A mental battle between what was right, and what he had to do.

Soon, he made the choice, firing an arrow right at the oven. And.. for a time, it seemed at peace. Purified? He turned to leave, all while Shadow Milk's spectral form remained, but he was smiling.

When the guardian was gone, darkness seeped right back into the Oven, twisting it's colors once more as anguished cries began to radiate once more.

"If I have a physical form it might have been different, buuuuut.. It wasn't done yet. so sad!" He sighed, giving a look of disappointment.

Truthless Recluse hummed when Shadow Milk answered the question, making mental notes of the name said to him, and keeping the information inside of his head as he wouldn’t exactly blame Burning Spice Cookie for being skeptical considering who he was before the lies were ripped apart and he faced the truth.

…. It was honestly kinda sweet in a way… 

It showed that the Beast cared for the jester and wanted to ensure that everything was alright by checking him out himself regardless if Shadow Milk wasn’t concerned in the slightest and knew the ‘healer’ wouldn’t leave his side.

“Okay.” He responded, letting fate decide how his friends would react to his presence, and would treat him… All that matters is that he would be fine under the jester’s gaze and he wouldn’t be alone anymore.

And that was fine with him as it’s all what he desired... To not be alone and be himself.

Regardless, his attention was on the jester, watching as the other settled on the desk, whilst he settled the staff against his lap. He carefully listened to the jester spewing out the details, earning a nod, as Truthless Recluse knew the information on how to create a cookie���

Information he learnt alongside with White Lily Cookie when they were children with huge ambitions… And trying to bake the perfect cookie themselves with the information they gathered but never succeeding in it.

“Yes, I do… It tried attacking the Faerie Kingdom however White Lily and the faeries were able to defend the kingdom and defeat the creature.” Truthless Recluse nodded; recalling the massive dough abomination that loomed over the silver kingdom as he or rather Pure Vanilla Cookie helped defend the kingdom with the magic he had at the time despite the stress he was under.

A pity really… As usual, 'he' was delaying fate and the inevitable, considering he was positive the kingdom would eventually fall in the end… It was only a matter of time…

He took the paper that was shoved into his hand, flickering his attention to it to read what was on it, whilst making sure he kept listening to the jester talking about the project that Dark Enchantress Cookie had planned and unaware of being hijacked.

“Hmm…. I see… No doubt the cruel truth will crush her when the project is finished and she realizes what has happened….” Toothless Recluse dully commented; impassive to the fate that lay for the enchantress.

... Maybe seeing that crushed hope on her face and watching her fall into a deeper despair would bring some form of satisfaction to him.

He looked back up at Shadow Milk Cookie, just as he poked him between the eyes which earned a blink from him.

“There was a hiccup..?” He spoke,  a surprise look form on his face, when the beast mentioned there was a tiny hiccup until the expression went away…. Ah right… The Elemental Cookies… Surely they would have noticed the looming darkness that was approaching over the horizon and the disbursement of nature if they hadn't been informed yet…

If they haven’t then…. Truly they were foolish… But he wasn’t going to complain… That will be their costly mistake.

“What happened to that elemental cookie?” A clear curiosity could be heard in the tone; the ‘healer’ wanting to know the elemental’s fate and how he reacted to what he discovered at the laboratory.

He wanted to know the despair placed on Wind Archer Cookie.

[multimusewonderland]

@cookieofearthbread inquired:

📖 + Licorice becoming a wizard and receiving the recognition for his magic.

Send 📖+ an AU scenario to get a glance at what my muse would be like in that universe

~

Originally, Licorice failed because he tried to learn a bit of every subject instead of focusing on one. He'd also often try to mix magic to get results, but often failed because he was too hasty.

In this case, Licorice almost immediately discovers that his flavor gives him an advantage in controlling magical constructs, so he specializes in creating and summoning them instead of his servants. He studies almost obsessively, as his spare time isn't being taken up by his experiments with mixing magic.

Once he graduates - his title is "wizard", but he technically prefers "sorcerer" - he moves to Parfaedia in order to live alone, as he has no idea where his tribe went after the avalanche forced them to relocate (and in general he doesn't want to move back to the Dark Cacao Kingdom).

Ironically, he starts working for M.E.H., using his constructs to safely deal with cases of magic accidentally going out of control while Detective Almond arrests magic users with malicious intent.

Licorice continues to study and experiment on the side, but he's nowhere near as out of the box as his normal self, thus limiting what he tries.

He has absolutely no ties to Dark Enchantress or the CoD outside of any instances where they get arrested, during which he might see them in passing.

[truthless-recluse]

"Was researching the Guardian's power.. really what you cared more for?"

A voice echoed behind White Lily Cookie. A dark energy was seeping from it, but.. it was a familiar voice. Even here in the Faerie Kingdom, the air suddenly had shifted to something far.. far more sinister.

Indeed.. some cookie stood behind her. It was no faerie, it wasn't Gingerbrave or the other two children..

It was.. Pure Vanilla Cookie.

Or.. at least it had been. Something was wrong, very wrong in his voice.

@cookieofearthbread

[milk-and-trickery]

"Hmm..." When ever the jester's smile faded, it was never a good sign. His eyes were locked onto Wind Archer Cookie, and he left the ex-healer's side.. just a moment. Floating up, and looking at the elemental face to face.

"You wouldn't happen to not be acting like a good sport.. are you, Archie?" With a very.. very firm press, he took his hand and pushed down on the gem on Wind Archer Cookie's forehead. Yes.. he finally noticed the building energy.

"It's not like we're going to pull you apart, by the creators.. just relax and just.. you know.. RELAX for once in your life." He rolled his eyes. As if talking to an ungrateful child.

"Wouldn't you do the same if you were teaching someone very near and dear to YOUR heart and soul?" He clicked his teethcing before floating back over to Truthless Recluse.

“.... Thank you, Shadow Milk Cookie.” Truthless Recluse replied, still focusing on the magic. As he felt pride that he was able to manifest the strings without much issue especially on the elemental cookie however he knew it was far from truly mastering the skill as he only simply made Wind Archer stand up when the ex-healer knew he was capable of doing more.

He just simply needed to learn… Like a lamb learning how to walk. Then he could truly use the strings as freely as he saw fit.

“I see… Truly, it shouldn’t take me too long to adjust to the magic and truly wield it with ease.” He hummed at the comment the jester made, his body relaxing at the jester's hands being placed on his shoulder, before he pulled the string once more, to see if he could make the Archer spin around… 

Not realizing the building up energy coming from the Elemental Cookie.

[milk-and-trickery]

@cookieofearthbread replied to your post “"So much chaos, so much uncertainty.. SO MUCH RAGE...”:

"Hmmm...." Pure Vanilla is just going to shuffle on the spot and bring the staff closer to his body before looking away.... It was clear by his response that the comment made him squirmed.

​

"Ohh... something 'Wrong' Pure Vanilla Cookie? Did I... say something that resonates deep within your dough?" Oh.. that tone is dangerous. He's taunting the healer.

"Something you were too scared to admit? Oh, of course you are.. you're just a scared little cookie under everything.. You always have been."

[milk-and-trickery]

"Trick or Treat." White Lily gave a soft smile to the Scholar as she was using her faerie form. Was it cheating that she was using that form as a costume? Who knows.

"Oh my, White Lily Cookie! Look at how gorgeous you are! It really does suit you, you know? Even though the circumstances that led to it were.. well.. not ideal." The Scholar keeps on a smile, even though the guilt still hurts him.

That it was his own crazed hands that caused so much pain. But there was no time to dwell on that right now!

"Happy Halloween to you too, White Lily Cookie. Here you go!" White Lily receives 3 Star-Shaped Candies!

Meanwhile Shadow Milk Cookie continues to writhe and dangle in the suspended sugar ropes. 'When I get out of here, you are in so much trouble, ME!'

"Ssssh- now."

[milk-and-trickery]

🗑🗑🗑🗑🗑🗑🗑🗑🗑🗑🗑🗑🗑🗑🗑🗑🗑🗑🗑🗑🗑🗑🗑🗑🗑🗑🗑🗑🗑🗑🗑🗑🗑🗑🗑🗑🗑 | From White Lily and she throwing them at him because >:( |

"Whoa WHOA HEY HEY!!!" Okay he was not expecting this, at all! He was not supposed to be on the RECEVING end of this!

"Is this about Elder Faerie Cookie.. I have a feeling it- OOF-" And the clown is clocked right in the face. Well, more like the can makes such direct contact it makes the apparition poof into a cloud of sugar smoke.

"RUDE!"

[milk-and-trickery]

"It's.. hard to explain." Blueberry Yogurt sighed before shakily using his staff to pull himself back up to standing. He was still wobbly, his strength had all but left him due to his sorrow. He knew seeing his creators again would be bittersweet... but knowing his own Mother's fate?

It was soul crushing.

"The cookie I became, Shadow Milk Cookie.. manipulated Pure Vanilla Cookie's life since he was but a child. Every moment.. I.. he was there. Then.. he pulled them into the Dark Side of the Moon when his body crumbled during a fateful battle he waged against Dark Enchantress Cookie.." He explained softly, pulling from him memories. He hated how clear it all was, even when he was not at the helm.

"Everything Pure Vanilla Cookie was... was due to Shadow Milk Cookie. And.. he managed to corrupt them, pull him into the self same darkness I fell into. His.. my other-half." He rested his hand against the soft glowing soul jam on his chest. The slit pupil still remained, though much duller because of the healer's help.

"It's like a connection between our souls and mind. Even from this distance, we can tell where one another is at.. Sometimes I can even feel what he's feeling." He sighed, looking back up to First Grain Cookie.

"It was because of this bond that when.. Pure Vanilla Cookie awakened into his own powerful Truths.. that light consumed our connection and effected me, pushing the darkness of my mind back.. Like the sun pushes back the night." He relaxed a bit more, his shoulders slumped. He was exhausted from his tears...

Still.. he smiled at the fact she was willing to help. Words he never thought he'd hear.

"Thank you.. First Grain Cookie. Any information is valuable, even if it's simple riddles or tales even." For the first time in this encounter, the scholar gave a small.. tired smile. He may not look as pristine, and godly as when the witches first baked him.. He looked tired, his icing paled with black darkness intertwined.. many eyes looking out. Even his robes were different.. representing more about the one who saved him.

But it was still.. Him.

"It's.. hard to mistake. Well at least for myself. I imagine if it had been the Witch of Light.. I would have known immediately. But.." He was the Fount of Knowledge.. Of course he'd pick up on it. But such energy he was all too familiar with. It had once been a source of comfort.. And later.. a source of loathing.

First Grain Cookie simply kept rubbing the other’s back, humming softly, as the tears fell from his face and he wrapped his arms around her… Knowing that this would be the first step of many steps for the wound to heal even if there would be scars that would linger forever with how everything played out… Scars that the Witch didn’t want to inflict onto anyone, regardless who or what they were, but still did due to the choices she made when she was still the Witch of Abundance.

She still held onto him even when the tears stop, as First Grain Cookie could feel him shivering in her arms; not breaking unless the other did it first since she did not want to take the warmth or comfort away from him as she wanted to show that she will be there to support him now.

The First Cookie will also support the other virtues as well when they were finally free from the darkness and corruption that gripped their hearts… As well apologize (which was so heavily overdue) to them especially Wheat Flour Cookie for failing them and not being there when they needed her the most.

“I’m glad he was able to help you and pull you from the madness as well as fight push back against the darkness… Although... It is certainly odd how you two have such a deep connection in the first place…” First Grain commented, placing a hand against her cheek, and tilting her head to the side. Her expression clearly showed she was deep in thought as she thought about the comment made from the Scholar.

”...  Especially if you said about the others not having such a connection compared to yours and Pure Vanilla Cookie…”  It was certainly odd to her that the connection that he and Pure Vanilla ran deep; between the soul and mind themselves especially when the other Beasts and Heroes did not share such a trait.

Surely, it couldn’t be solely the soul jam themselves, otherwise the Beast Cookies and their counterpart would have similar bonds and connection to one that Blueberry Yogurt and Pure Vanilla Cookie has.

… Why was that the case…? What cause the difference? And was the condition of the bond important or necessary to know if they wanted to save his friends?

“Well regardless… I’m certain there will be a way to save the others from the madness that holds them. I will see if my magic can help or if I can find any information that may provide any help to creating a spell to save them.” First Grain Cookie gave a soft smile. Hopefully, they will find a spell that will purify the Beast Cookies and finally end the nightmare for once and for all.

“... I must admit… I did not expect my magic or presence to be felt considering only a handful of cookies truly known about my existence and able to pick up on it… Nor did I expect to see you, however I’m rather glad that you did pick up on my presence and come here, especially everything that has happened.”

[milk-and-trickery]

It was the reason he came here.

Out of all his friends, he knew Wheat Flour Cookie was still 'awake'. He didn't know about the rest though. But he doubted Red Spice, the Herald of Change could help him with his woes. As much as he adored the lovable oaf.

"That.. that's good." At least one rose above the beast that haunted them. The seat was a welcome reprieve as he settled down onto it, shakily setting his key-staff to the side as he almost collapsed.

"My stores of magic are already limited as it is. Ever since he took hold of Pure Vanilla Cookie he's.. been squeezing harder than before." As if trying to snuff him out for good. At least the gardens in the Realm of Apathy were a reprieve. And he was thankful that her other self, Mystic Flour, was silent.

It was fortune favoring him, for once.

The Jester may not be able to find him here unless he looked for that faint soul tether.

"He went further than merely corrupting Pure Vanilla Cookie.. Our minds, our soul. They've become one. Two halves of a whole cookie, as such.. his power has increased exponentially." Two against one within his own mind.

"Things seem.. peaceful here, Wheat Flour Cookie. Is.. it alright if I linger for but a moment? Even my inner sanctum within my own soul.. it's been breached." The pure white lake that acted as his last bastion of sanity...

Wheat Flour held him as she carefully studied his appearance, her concern growing when she saw just how frazzled the Fount of Knowledge was and the concern, along with fear, only deepened when she could pick out the tint of madness that were seeping into his eyes.

That wasn’t good.

The fear grasping her heart and her stomach dropped when he revealed he was too late and Shadow Milk Cookie had claimed Pure Vanilla Cookie; corrupting the poor healer.

The fact he couldn’t find even a small fragment of the healer only made the fear grow inside of her… However the prophet also knew she couldn’t break at the devastating blow; not when her friend needed her support and her resolution.

And part of her refused to believe that the healer had been completely consumed by the madness… Even if she had no evidence and didn’t know him as well as the Scholar and the Jester did.

“I see…” Wheat Flour muttered quietly. her face pale from the news given to her by Blueberry Yogurt, before looking around herself to see if there was a place that they both could sit down (or at least her friend could).

And surely enough in the corner of her eyes; she spotted a seat which she carefully guided her friend to and placed him on it.

A deep breath was taken by her; knowing she needed to keep an even head and remain calm for the other; as the panic would not serve to help in the situation in the slightest especially with how he looked ready to crumble at any given moment.

If her other self, Mystic Flour Cookie, saw him…

No doubt she would have pour salt into the wound; taunting him and telling him how she was right with his struggles being pointless and how he should have given up in the first place to save him from all that pain and suffering.

But she wasn’t and Wheat Flour needed to be sure that the other didn’t break. She did not want to lose him to the madness that held onto him so tightly forever. She needed to keep the ember burning.

“I have not heard anything since Dark Cacao Cookie, my successor, visited the realm… Both him and my other self are being quiet.” She answered firmly which… Admittedly left the prophet concerned as she knew her other self was furious with the King when he denied her Apathy.

“Which surely makes me believe he is fairing well despite the trials he's been through.” It was the only news she could offer however it was news that wasn’t devastating or despair inducing.

And she could only hope it could bring a drop of Hope to him…  Even if it was the tiniest droplet in the ocean of despair.

[milk-and-trickery]

The soft smile was something he liked to see. The memories he had while he was Shadow Milk often painted the healer sporting the opposite.. Or looking at him blankly.

It.. felt nice to see them finally back to their usual self again.

"Mm.. true. Though it doesn't hurt to make sure you're also feeling well. We.. both went through quite a bit back at the Spire." Which was certainly the understatement of a life time. Even now, Blueberry Yogurt was constantly fighting with his guilt, doing anything he could to help Pure Vanilla and his friends.

Doing everything in his power to help with even the smallest tasks.

Then again, he had come looking for the healer for an entirely different reason.

"Oh... right. Black Raisin Cookie was looking for you, she said that some messages have arrived from the Creme Republic requesting information from your time in Beast-Yeast." He was thankful Pure Vanilla's friends were comfortable enough to approach him with such things. Even if it was simple..

At least he knew he could always pin point the other's location due to their soul jams.

"Ah... I suppose I do have that habit myself... But thank you, Blueberry Yogurt Cookie." He replied; wondering how long he been staring aimlessly at the flowers... No doubt it was long enough for someone to notice considering Blueberry Yogurt Cookie had noticed.

"And I know especially since I have you and the others to help me if I do have any worries on my mind." He gave a soft smile to him.

[milk-and-trickery]

It felt so weird to be walking in the world of the waking alongside Pure Vanilla Cookie. Especially in sighs that he only ever saw in the healers memories, and within their dreams. It was surreal, even if the sight of the occasional lily caused a bit of discomfort to boil up in him.

To think it all played out as it did. Shadow Milk Cookie had worked so hard to bore himself into the healer's mind. Twist his perception, to bend Pure Vanilla into his perfect puppet, his perfect other half. The fact the healer had enough strength of will to push back against his own corruption.. And the corruption that coated his very soul...

Some how, he'd managed to awaken to greater power, and pull both halves of the Light of Truth out of the deepest Abyss. He could only wonder how far that power might go... if it might save the others.

"I felt like I could hardly do a thing most days." He smiled warmly. His half of the soul jam still rested snuggly on his collar. The blackened pupil was still.. visible. But faded with the darkness that had been pushed back from him.

But it hummed with a soft blue light.. something that it hadn't done in ages.

"How are you fairing since we returned?" His attention shifted back to the healer. Concern on his face as all of the eyes on the scholar locked onto Pure Vanilla. They'd only returned from Beast-Yeast a few short days ago. The children were resting somewhere else, and he and Pure Vanilla SHOULD.. be resting..

Yet here they were, walking through the gardens of the Vanilla Kingdom.

"You expended so much magic, so much energy. Not just saving yourself but.. also me. Can't even begin to think about how many cookies have been wanting to talk to you, either." Most had been giving him a very... very wide berth. And he didn't blame them.

Kingdom Hearts III Sentence Starters - Accepting

@milk-and-trickery

“I feel safe with you, Pure Vanilla Cookie " [ Chucks post redemption-shadow milk/blueberry yogurt at you. ]

“I’m relieved to hear that, Blueberry Yogurt Cookie.” Pure Vanilla spoke with a soft and warm smile on his face, tilting his head to the side to look at the Scholar, whilst wandering through the garden with him.

Honestly, Pure Vanilla never thought he would see the day when they would be able to spend time together without it being the healer sleeping, trapped in dreams that was laced with terror crafted by the jester to break the healer’s resolve and to drown him in the same darkness that the scholar was trapped under.

A darkness which he did sink into when the despair and doubt became too much for him, breaking him, until he was able to find his way back to the light after reflecting on himself and finally accepting the truth;

He did not belong to anyone but himself. He wasn’t perfect and didn't need to be perfect. He was Pure Vanilla Cookie… No one else… And he would face the Truth face on; may it be by himself or with friends by his side.

Which in return…  Allowed him to pull himself back from the darkness which consumed him as well as awakening to new powers which not only helped him but the scholar as well.

A fact he was happy about as Pure Vanilla Cookie had always wanted to help the other no matter what.

“And I still need to thank you for everything you did for me.” He replied, his hand shifting the soul jam that was pinned against his collar, recalling how Blueberry Yogurt did everything he could in his power to help him when he could even if it was simply being there and being at his side. 

“As well as that, I also feel safe around you.”

[milk-and-trickery]

"Hmmm... Nah! I think I'll keep doing it!" And proceeds to constantly poke Pure Vanilla Cookie's cheek.

"Not like you can stop me, can you, hehehehe~"

@milk-and-trickery

"Hey, hey.. Pure Vanilla Cookie! Hey! Silly Vanilly! HEY! BLONDIE!!"

...... Okay ignoring him is not working especially with the endlessly poking..... And the fact that Pure Vanilla would not be surprise if his face would become numb and he ended up with a bruise if the other kept up with it.... As such.....

".... Blondie...? That's a first and would you stop poking me please?"