Chapter 1: In A Lonely Village
Chapter Text
In a lonely village, tucked away in the furthest reaches of Crispia, lived a storyteller at the top of a hill. His name and story long since lost to time. Just another refugee that had been displaced by the rise of the Beast Cookies. After the fall of the ancient heroes, places like this village he resided in were few and far between. A place seemingly forgotten by time itself. Compared to the rest of Earthbread it was considered almost idyllic. Older cookies in the village would always talk about how it reminded them of the kingdoms of old. To the younger generation they were just stories. Fairytales told by the kind old storyteller. He would weave the most fantastical tales. Stories of Queens fighting dragons, or sealing their subjects souls to save them. Stories of a King who learnt not to close himself off in the name of protecting his home. Even one of a cookie that split their soul at the cost of forbidden knowledge. Of course the young cookies knew they weren't real. Life lessons told in a more interesting way, but that never stopped their enthusiasm at hearing the stories. Every evening, after their chores, the children would run to the house on the hill and wait for the old cookie to tell them stories. Today was no different.
Like clockwork the storyteller heard the telltale sound of little legs rushing up to his home. The old cookie smiled. He loved these visits. Seeing the faces of the young ones lightened his heart in a way that he hadn't felt in decades. Sure enough four little cookies burst into his home. All with eager faces.
“Do you have a new story for us today?” A girl with eager pink eyes and hair asked.
“Oh! Tell us about the Golden Queen again!” Another girl with blonde hair chimed in.
“I-I wouldn’t mind hearing the story of the Faerie Kingdom again…” A quiet girl with white hair murmured. The Storyteller Cookie looked at the last remaining young one that had come today. A boy with dark hair and red eyes. Always so silent, but attentive.
“What kind of story would you wish to hear?” The Storyteller asked. The boy remained silent. Just as the storyteller thought he wouldn’t get an answer the boy replied in a flat voice.
“I liked the one with the twin dragons.” The old cookie smiled that same indulgent smile at the answer.
"This story is going to be a little different to the ones I have told before. It's protagonist is a cookie whose name was wiped from history as a consequence of his actions. The one who lead cookiekind down a dark path. This is the story of the one whose actions caused the downfall of the other heroes. A story of the fall of a King and the rise of a Jester. Come, my dear children, and listen to the tragedy of Pure Vanilla."
Chapter Text
Pure Vanilla was drowning. Black Sapphire had said that the river would only allow him to live if he embraced deceit. Perhaps that wouldn't be the worst thing in the world. After all, Shadow Milk had already proven to the blond that he had been a liar all his life. Yes, he was sure, this was where he belonged. What was the point of holding the Light of Truth if he wasn't even truthful himself? Truthless Recluse fit him much better. He didn't shy away from the bitterness of life. Pure Vanilla let his eyes slip shut, this was for the best. He would stay here as a cookie of deceit. Just as he was always meant to be. The strangest thing was he still seemed to be sinking. It didn't matter. One way or another, Pure Vanilla would disappear.
"-ure Vanilla… Pure Vanilla! We have to save him!" The words were muffled by the yoghurt but they seemed to piece through the drowning cookie's psyche. The person speaking seemed to be distressed about his predicament. How curious, who would care about a cookie of deceit. Pure Vanilla's eyes opened wide. The children! Oh how could have he forgotten them. He couldn't let himself give in to despair! Who knows what kind of despicable things Shadow Milk would do to them! He had to surface, he had to live for them, but how to do that? Even when he thought he had embraced deceit the healer hadn't started to float. He needed to find another way. Surely there had to be something. A thought suddenly hit him. It wasn't the brightest idea, but it was the only one he could think of to trick the test. Pure Vanilla focused all his energy for a singular purpose. To split his soul. If he managed to let a small fragment, the one that was willing to give in, perhaps that would be enough to allow him to surface.
It had worked. In that moment there existed two Pure Vanillas. He noticed the cookie looking back at him was the fortune teller. So that was how he had come to be. With all his might the healer struggled to swim to the surface. Sure enough, he reached the shore on the other side of the bank. He had done it! He had successfully tricked the test. Perhaps he would be able to trick Shadow Milk himself. If he managed to get the beast to think he had fully embraced deceit it might be enough to beat the other cookie at his own game.
Each new puzzle, each new trial, was a test of Pure Vanilla's acting skills. It both touched and hurt his heart each time the children tried to reason with him. That they cared so much to try and save him despite not needing saving in the first place. At the very least the healer knew his act was good enough to fool them. Their earnest desires only helping his deception. The hardest part of it all was trying to find the perfect opening to turn the tide against the beast.
The opening came in the most unexpected way. Seeing the children being pushed off the spire. He prayed to the witches the fortune teller would be there to save them. Pure Vanilla hadn't seen that fragment since he had split himself in the river. The shock and pain was still very real though. This would be the final test. The blond steeled himself for his own 'grand finale'.
"Is this what you wanted, or is it even better? Instead of one Soul Jam of Knowledge, you will have two Soul Jams of deceit… and me forever by your side." Shadow Milk looked shocked, and suspicious, at the admission.
"You would do that, after what I just did to your friends?" The suspicion was still there, but there was what seemed like a hint of desperation. A silent plea that he was telling the truth. It almost made Pure Vanilla feel bad, but it would be alright. He would make it up to the blue cookie once this was all over. He still had a role to play. The corrupted healer let out a humourless laugh.
"It's no longer important. Now, it's clear as day. There simply is no point in denying it…" His next words were the poisonous truth. "You and I… We are meant to be together." Despite what Shadow Milk had done, he was right. No one understood him better than the beast. Pure Vanilla suppressed a flinch at Shadow Milk's manic, joyful, laughter.
"Yes, YES, now you are mine!" In that instance he felt another consciousness flood into him. Foreign thoughts and feelings overwhelming him before they were shut off abruptly. While he couldn't make out all of them, the healer had noticed one feeling buried, deep, deep down. He only noticed it because it had felt so different to the other emotions flowing through Shadow Milk in that moment. Longing. A desperate plea for companionship. For a moment the blond was awed at what was happening. Seeing his and Shadow Milk's magic intertwining, the two halves finally coming together again, blending seamlessly. He shook himself out of it. There was no time to be distracted. This was the perfect time for him to enact his betrayal. While he couldn't be sure, Pure Vanilla seemed to know instinctively what he had to do. He raised his staff and poised it towards his Soul Jam. Soon everything would be over. He and the children would be freed from this nightmare.
The moment before Pure Vanilla's staff was about to strike the Soul Jam, he felt strings binding his hands. The staff clattering to the floor. This wasn't supposed to happen. Pure Vanilla looked up to see Shadow Milk floating in front of him. The other cookie's form was slightly blurry with the loss of his staff, but he could still make out the beast's smug look. Shadow Milk grabbed his chin and inspected him. Pure Vanilla could feel his heart pounding, how did he know what he was planning to do?
"You really thought I wouldn't see through your silly little act?" The blond's eyes widened at his words. He could have sworn he hadn't spoken aloud.
"Oh you silly, silly cookie, have you forgotten already? We are one and the same. I can hear every little pointless thought in your head. Including your little plan." The grip on his chin tightened. "I must say, you did have me fooled for a minute there. You're a much better actor than I had anticipated. Oh I truly am so, so, so proud of you, but there's something you didn't account for…" Shadow Milk leaned in to speak right into his ear. His voice poisonously sweet. "Nothing was ever going to make me let you go." Before he could answer, try to come up with some excuse, Pure Vanilla heard a voice that made his jam run cold.
"Pure Vanilla! Pure Vanilla!" It was Gingerbrave's voice. Oh no, they couldn't be here, they had to run. Shadow Milk manoeuvred the blond's body so he was facing the young cookies. The trio paused when they saw the predicament in front of them.
"What-what's going on?" Strawberry's voice was timid.
"My friends, you have to run, leave the spire, right now!" Pure Vanilla managed to shout before he was forcibly silenced by blue ribbons covering his mouth.
"I think that's enough out of you… Besides, I don't know why you're so worried, the more cookies the merrier, wouldn't you all agree?"
"Let Pure Vanilla go!" Wizard tried to sound confident but his voice wavered. The final cookie that had arrived with them looked at the scene with a detached expression. Even with his limited vision he knew who the other cookie was. The fortune teller.
"I told you it was fruitless. That you were always destined to fall. You should have left when you had the chance." The fortune teller merely sighed before returning to where it belonged. Gingerbrave looked on in confusion.
"What did he mean by that?" Pure Vanilla looked up at Shadow Milk. If the man could hear his thoughts, then he begged the beast to spare the children. They didn't have to suffer for his own failure. If the tightening of his bonds was any indication then it seemed he had heard him. Shadow Milk laughed, an unhinged sounds.
"It means, little gnats, that Nilly's plans here have failed, and that you must pay the price of his attempted betrayal." Pure Vanilla's face paled. He couldn't let this happen! Those children didn't deserve it.
"Please, Shadow Milk, don't kill them. I'm the one who should bear the brunt of your ire. Punish me, don't harm the children, I beg you." The blue cookie gave him a feral smile. Clearly enjoying the panicked and desperate thoughts of his other half.
"Oh my dear Nilly, don't you see it yet? This is your punishment… That being said, I do ever so much enjoy hearing you beg, so I think I'll indulge you. Just this once." Before the blond had a chance to feel relief Shadow Milk waved his staff in the direction of the children. They didn't even have a chance to scream. Pure Vanilla wasn't sure what had happened, but he could no longer hear the young cookies. Couldn't see them moving anymore. The blond saw Shadow Milk looking down at him. From that look he was expecting Pure Vanilla to have more of a reaction to whatever he had done. That send a chill down his spine. In a theatrical move the beast placed a hand on his head.
"Oh how silly of me, I forgot you can barely see! Here, let me help you with that." With a snap, his staff was back in his bound hand. Pure Vanilla's eyes widened. He dearly wished he had stayed half blind. Where Gingerbrave, Strawberry and Wizard once stood, were perfect life-sized marionettes which looked identical to each child. The bound healer screamed behind the ribbons keeping him silent. He didn't bother masking his tears, just let them fall.
Pure Vanilla wasn't sure when Shadow Milk had freed him from those wicked strings and ribbons. He scarcely remembered crawling over to the marionette's and cradling each one delicately. As if they could still feel his comforting embrace. As his awareness slowly crept back in, the blond noticed something. The marionette's in his arms were still warm, more importantly, their chests still rose and fell with the imitation of breath. Pure Vanilla looked up at Shadow Milk, who was currently inspecting his claws in idle disinterest.
"What… What have you done to them?" At being addressed the jester perked up.
"Why I did as you asked! I didn't hurt a single hair on their precious little heads. Aren't I so kind? C'mon Nills, you should really be thanking me. After all, most others wouldn't have taken your thoughts into consideration after you betray them." The healer glared at other cookie. Shadow Milk sighed dramatically before rushing up to the blond. Pure Vanilla flinched at the action. The blue cookie grabbed one of the children's limbs before dropping it. Completely limp. There was no recognition that anything had been done to them.
"Since you so clearly need me to explain, fine, I turned them into living puppets. They're still alive… in the most basic sense of the word. They breathe, their hearts beat, jam still flows through their veins. I suppose you could say I took their souls." Pure Vanilla looked down in abject horror.
"I-I thought you said you wouldn't kill them…" His voice was hollow. Shadow Milk looked at him as if he were stupid, perhaps he was.
"And I didn't, did I? Honestly Nilly, you are just impossible to please. You're ever so lucky that your other half is as kind as I am." Shadow Milk tapped Pure Vanilla on the nose. "If you were anyone else those little gnats would be nothing more than crumbs to be swept away." The jester back flipped away in the air before clapping his hands together. Ever the obnoxious showman.
"Black Sapphire! Take our new marionettes to the prop storage. Make sure you treat them gently, we can't have my little toy getting upset over mishandling, now can we?" Black Sapphire appeared at Shadow Milk's side and bowed.
"Of course Master Shadow Milk, they will be handled with the upmost care." Pure Vanilla tried to stop Black Sapphire from taking the children from his grasp, but he couldn't risk harming them. He eventually relented and let the purple cookie take them away from him.
"Alrighty, it's been a long day, we should get you back to your chambers! Can't have you missing out on any beauty sleep. Only the prettiest of cookies can be by my side after all. Especially when they're my dear other half!" Pure Vanilla didn't see any of Shadow Milk's theatrics, his eyes hadn't moved from where the children had been in his arms. He hadn't expecting anything like this would happen. His plan seemed so foolproof at the start. How long had Shadow Milk known he was going to betray him? Was it only in that moment they had become one, or had it been even earlier than that? Blue strings wrapped around the blond's limbs again and he let out a yelp as he was thrown airborne. Pure Vanilla came face to face with the jester's irritated expression.
"I don't like to be ignored Nilly." Dull heterochromatic eyes stared at their mirror. To think, he once had the notion that he and Shadow Milk could have been friends. What a fool he had been.
"You say that as if I should care."
"Aww, you really know how to hurt my feelings, it's okay though. I know you're just cranky. Don't worry, a good night's sleep is exactly what you need. You will feel better in the morning. I'm sure of it."
Shadow Milk had dragged Pure Vanilla back to his gifted chambers using the puppet strings. Only removing them to drop the blond onto his bed. The second he could control his limbs on his own, the healer turned his back to the jester. Looking at him made him sick.
"Wow Nilla, you really know how to hold a grudge. It wasn't that bad, really, I thought I was the dramatic one in this relationship." Pure Vanilla curled his fists into the bedding beneath him.
"You speak as if this happened years ago when it hasn't even been an hour since you…" He trailed off. Witches, it hadn't even been an hour. An hour ago they still had a future. Still so brave, so bright, and so kind. So sure they could survive anything thrown at them. They were children. This hadn't been their fight, and now they had paid the price in his place.
"Ugh, could you please stop thinking so loud? You're incessant feelings of guilt are giving me a headache." At this, Pure Vanilla finally turned around to glare at the beast.
"Why is it you can read my thought, yet I can no longer read yours?" As much as he didn't want to engage with the blue cookie, his curiosity got the better of him. The jester grinned.
"So you're finally curious? I suppose I could tell you… but where would the fun be in that?" With a roll of his eyes the blond turned away again. He should have known. Knowledge was never given freely by the former Fount.
"Never mind."
"How about this, I'll answer your question… if you let me do something." Pure Vanilla wanted to ignore the blatant trap, but his desire to know outweighed the consequences. At the very least if he knew how to Shadow Milk was doing it, then he could utilise it too. Having the beast in his head was unpleasant and violating. The other cookie had taken so much from the healer, he wanted to at least keep his thoughts private.
"Fine… what do you want me to do?" A hand touched his shoulder. Pure Vanilla glanced at it, starting to feel nervous about what he had just agreed to. He heard Shadow Milk's voice whisper right next to his ear.
"It's simple, I want you to sit right where you are and not move a muscle. Can you do that for me, my dear other half?" The blond shivered, but nodded. He had asked for this, and didn't want to frustrate the other cookie. Not when they were this close to each other. Pure Vanilla saw a clawed hand move the top of his robe away from his neck. Showing the high necked body suit underneath. The claw then moved to the hollow of the healer's throat. Pure Vanilla's breath hitched and he closed his eyes. Not wanting to see what was going to happen next. The sound of fabric ripping caused him to flinch. He felt the top of the body suit clinging to his neck falling. The blond didn't need to see to know what was about to happen. He smelled the scent of quality leather. Pure Vanilla tried to flinch out of the way, but newly formed strings kept him anchored in place. As the new accessory was cinched into place the healer couldn't stop the sound of a choked sob escaping him.
"Now you look even more beautiful." He felt Shadow Milk manoeuvre around his body, probably inspecting his handiwork. The beast whistled. "Truly stunning. I really have outdone myself. You should really take a look Nilly!" Not being given a choice, Pure Vanilla was harshly lifted up and dragged in front of, what he assumed was, a mirror. Just because the blue cookie could force him to move, didn't mean he could force him to look. It seemed that hope was dashed too. The blond felt his staff being roughly shoved into his hand and his eyes forced open. It was exactly what he had feared. A strip of pristine white leather wrapped around his neck decorated in fine gold filigree.
"Don't you think you look pretty?" Pure Vanilla glanced up and saw a satisfied and possessive smile on Shadow Milk's face. The healer refused to answer. He took a vicious pleasure in seeing that smile slowly start to fall at his lack of response. Sadly, like all things with the blue cookie, the feeling didn't last long. The smile came right back onto his face. "At a loss for words? I know, it's a breathtaking sight. My lovely little masterpiece." That finally caused something to snap in Pure Vanilla. He pushed the other cookie off and glared at him. One of his hands going up to his neck to try and unclasp the collar around his neck. The second he felt the cool metal of the clasp a sudden shock wracked his dough. The healer fell to his knees with a sharp gasp. Staff clattering to the ground as he used both hands to steady himself.
"Oh! That's right, I forgot to tell you! No one but me can remove it, otherwise they'll be in for quite the shocking surprise." Shadow Milk laughed at his own joke while Pure Vanilla tried to get his breathing back under control. His dough still raw from the sudden shock.
"Are you satisfied now?" The blond rasped out. He grabbed his staff and used it to help himself back up. Glaring at the beast in front of him. "What was the point of this? To humiliate me further? It's not like anyone will be able to see it." He was thankful that the high collar of his robe covered the other collar nicely.
"Oh my dear silly Vanilly, you don't understand…" Shadow Milk caressed the side of the healer's face. "It isn't meant for anyone other than you. Now every time you breathe you'll be constantly reminded of me. No matter what you do, you'll never truly be naked again. I'll always be there." The beast placed a kiss on the other cheek before hopping back and clapping his hands.
"Now since you've been ever so kind, I suppose I can answer your question." If he was honest the blond had nearly forgotten about their deal. "The answer is… Mental wards!" Sparkling confetti accompanied the answer. Pure Vanilla took in the information. That… made sense. It wasn't something the healer had ever studied. He wondered if there was a book of some kind in this witches-forsaken spire that could help him figure out how to cast one on himself.
"Thank you." He hadn't actually expected that the other would actually answer honestly.
"Of course! Anything for my dear toy." Pure Vanilla walked back over to his bed and flopped onto it. He was completely drained, mentally and physically.
"Now that you've had your fun at my expense can you leave? I'm tired of seeing your face." He just wanted to have some peace and quiet to rest. Shadow Milk hummed. For a moment the blond was afraid he'd have to deal with more nonsense from the beast.
"Such heartless words to say to your other half! I'll forgive you this time, really you should thank me for being so generous and listening to you." There was no way on Earthbread he was going to do that. Pure Vanilla closed his eyes. Not knowing if the other cookie had left yet, but he didn't care anymore. All he wanted was to wake up and find that all of this had been a dream.
Notes:
The art in this chapter is brought to you by the absolutely amazing @KushiKura from right here in Ao3! They are amazing and please give them all the love they deserve!
Chapter 3: Long Forgotten by Time
Notes:
I am so sorry that this took so long to get out! My skin has thrown the hissy fit of the year and have been suffering from severe itching and sleep deprivation. It has not been fun, but I am hoping that I'll post more frequently now since I'm (hopefully) getting over my current flare up!
I also need to clarify something: I will be using the names of canon cookies in this side of the story. They are NOT the actual cookies though. They share similar facial features and/or personalities to the originals and the storyteller perceives them as the canon cookies. It also makes it easier than just creating a giant collection of OCs. So if they are a little out of character that's why. Some of the real versions of characters, like the Ancients, will appear as themselves at a later point. Now without further ado, I hope you enjoy!
(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)
Chapter Text
In the skies of Crispia there was a large sprawling kingdom. While long forgotten by time, it was once a haven for all cookies. It was ruled by a kind and benevolent king by the name of Pure Vanilla. King Pure Vanilla was beloved by all, but he carried a dark secret. He had been granted a forbidden power. Power that should not have belonged to him at all. Selfishly instead of returning the power to its rightful owner, he decided to keep it. Claim it as his own. Unbeknown to the king, the true owner of this power was a god. The God of Knowledge. The god had his magic stolen by the witches and was locked away unjustly.
When the God of Knowledge had finally freed himself from his prison, he was infuriated to realise his power had been given to someone else. The god wasn't as cruel as the witches though. Instead of a show of force, the god issued a challenge to the king.
"Play a game with me. Show me that you deserve the power you were gifted." The king was suspicious. He'd known of no gods, only of the witches.
"How do I know you're what you say you are?" Pure Vanilla had replied.
"In one of your neighbouring kingdoms, there is an ailment turning the citizens into flour. If I give you the cure to the ailment, will you believe me then?" The king was shocked. He had heard of the plague. In fact, he'd intended to travel to that very kingdom to offer his assistance.
"Yes, please, if what you say is true, I'll play your game!"
With the supposed 'cure' in hand, King Pure Vanilla, travelled to the plague inflicted kingdom. Sure enough, the cure had been real! As soon as it had been administered, the affected cookies had looked as good as the day they were baked. King Pure Vanilla returned to the God of Knowledge, overjoyed that he had spoken the truth.
"Oh great God of Knowledge, your cure worked! I'm sorry for ever doubting you. What game do you wish to play?"
The god smiled. "A simple game of chess." At his words a chess board manifested in front of the pair.
As they played King Pure Vanilla noticed that things didn't seem right. Pieces would move on their own, resurrect themselves at whim, some even vanished and reappeared far from where they had been originally. It was complete chaos. Throughout the match the god seemed completely unperturbed. As if this was the norm for him. At what seemed to be the half way point of the match, an aide rushed into the room the god and king were playing in.
"Sire, we have dire news from our neighbouring kingdom! All the people given your cure have fallen into a deep sleep!" King Pure Vanilla's eyes widened. How could this be? He'd done everything the god had told him, and they had gotten better! The king had to do something, to find out what had gone wrong. When the king tried to stand, he found himself bound to the chair. He glared at the being who called himself a god.
"What is the meaning of this?!"
"I never said you could leave our game."
"I'm sorry, but I must find out what has gone wrong. Lives are at stake!" A sudden malevolent aura came from his opponent. The aide that had come in disappeared like smoke. As if he had never been there at all.
"Oh, but my dear king, haven't you realised it yet? Our game started the moment I gave you that cure." The god stood up and walked towards the king. "You blindly took the word of a stranger who claimed to be a god. All in your desperation to help others. Tell me, why does someone so foolish deserve my power?" He leaned over the board and flicked over King Pure Vanilla's king on the board. "Checkmate."
"I think that's where we'll have to pause for the day." The storyteller looked out the window. The sun had just started to set. It had gotten far later than he had realised. Too engrossed in his own story.
"You can't end the story there!" The child he had dubbed to be Hollyberry exclaimed.
"Yeah! You have to tell us what happens next!" Golden Cheese agreed with her friend. It was no surprise. She was insatiable, always wanting to hear more. The storyteller laughed.
"I'm sorry little ones, but it's far too late to continue now. Your caretakers would be furious if I kept you here any longer. You know it isn't safe after dark." Golden Cheese rolled her eyes.
"Oh yeah because that's when the 'beasts' come out. Come on, we all know they're only stories they're not real." He gave her a curious look.
"You think the beasts are only stories?"
"Aren't they?" White Lily chimed in to ask timidly. "You're the only one who speaks of them as if they're real."
"What if I told you all my stories are true? That I know for a fact they're real."
"We might be children, but don't treat us like we're fools." Came the gruff voice of Dark Cacao. The dark haired cookie was looking at the storyteller as if he was just another patronising adult. Said adult helped usher the children out of his modest home, allowing the conversation spill over as he prepared to walk each child home.
"Is that so? Then tell me, do you believe in the Witches?" That got each child thinking. In the end all of them nodded at him.
"I think the Witches definitely exist." White Lily spoke with conviction. "They're our creators after all." It didn't surprise him at all that White Lily would be the one so sure of their existence.
"Well then, if you believe the Witches exist, why do you think the Beasts don't? They were baked by the Witches too. There have been plenty of people who have claimed to see the assassins of Silent Salt, do you not believe them?" White Lily paused to think.
"I believe they wanted it to be the Lord of Silence's doing. As a way to cope with whatever happened to their loved ones." A well reasoned answer for someone so wise beyond her years. The next question went to Hollyberry.
"What do you think about people talking about the paradise of Eternal Sugar?" The girl laughed, her pink hair bouncing as she did.
"That's just a story to keep people motivated! In time like these, you cannot afford to fall into something like sloth!" Golden Cheese came next.
"The wild spices that roam Crispia are said to be lead by one. You know they're real." Golden Cheese scoffed at the mention of the wild spices.
"Burning Spice is nothing more than a rallying cry they use to justify their cruelty." Finally it was Dark Cacao's turn.
"The explorers brave enough to enter Beast-Yeast have talked about the Ivory Pagoda and the large cocoons found there. Do you believe those aren't from Mystic Flour trying to meditate and escape the greed of cookiekind?"
"I agree with Hollyberry. Mystic Flour is just like Eternal Sugar. Nothing more than a cautionary tale to keep people motivated. Nothing more. By now they had reached the orphanage where the children lived. The storyteller had one last question, this time, for all of them.
"Then what do you all think about Shadow Milk? The Master of Deceit." To the storyteller's surprise the question was met with laughter from Hollyberry and Golden Cheese. Even the stoic Dark Cacao cracked a small smile for a moment.
"He's the most unrealistic of them all!" Golden Cheese managed to say as she continued to laugh. Hollyberry took over from her then.
"Exactly! Turning people into puppets? Shapeshifting? Not to mention apparently used to be the 'Virtue of Knowledge'? Whomever came up with that fairytale really should have tried to make him a little more believable." Their ruckus had apparently garnered the attention of the other cookies inside as the door opened. The haggard grey haired cookie who ran the orphanage opened the door.
"Oh good, you're finally home! I was so worried, I almost was about to come out to find you." She looked up at the storyteller and nodded her head in greeting. "Thank you for bringing them back. I hope they didn't bother you too much Storyteller." He smiled at her, soft and sweet.
"It was my pleasure Earl Grey. I'm sorry it ended up so late. I had lost track of time." She waved her hand dismissively.
"Oh it's fine, as long as they had fun." She finally turned her attention to the young cookies.
"Now you four need to head inside and wash up for supper, alright? I need to speak to the storyteller for a little bit." The young cookies waved farewell before heading into the house.
"There's going to be an emergency meeting in the village square. The mayor expects everyone to be there. I don't know what's going on, but I have a bad feeling in my dough. You better head over there now. Thank you again, for looking after the young ones. They need as many distractions as they can get in times like these."
"Of course Earl Grey, they'll always been welcome in my home."
The storyteller headed straight for the town square after dropping off the children. By the time he had arrived there was already quite a few cookies there. The storyteller kept to the back of the group. He was curious to know why a town meeting had been called so abruptly. The mayor of their modest village stood next to the dry fountain, in front of all the gathered cookies. Clotted Cream.
"I'm sorry to have called this meeting on such short notice, but we have a crisis on our hands." There were concerned murmurs around them. The storyteller ignored them all, focusing solely on the mayor. He was currently waving his hands in a soothing manner in attempt to calm the villagers back down.
"Now, now, everyone has to stay calm. It has come to our attention that a strange sickness has started to appear. Leaving the dough of cookies to turn pale..." The cries of the crowd drowned out whatever Clotted Cream was trying to say.
"Are we all going to die?!"
"How infectious is this disease?"
"I thought this village was supposed to be safe!" All the voices of distressed were drowned out by a harsh noise. Financier, Clotted Cream's personal guard, slammed her sword into the ground.
"Silence everyone! They mayor hasn't finished his address." The crowd were still panicked, but now sufficiently cowed by her actions. Financier bowed to the mayor. "Please, continue sir." Clotted Cream cleared his throat.
"Yes, as I was saying. There is no reason to panic at this time. The people afflicted have been kept isolated, and everyone is taking sufficient measures to ensure that this ailment will not spread to the bulk of the village." The Storyteller was sure there was more to it than what the mayor had told them. "I will now take your questions."
"Do you know where the ailment came from?" He heard one of the cookies ask. Clotted Cream shook his head.
"Unfortunately not, the few cases we've found the cookies hadn't left the village in days, and had no unsuspecting visitors. It seems to have appeared out of nowhere."
"This sounds like the pale ailment that once afflicted the Dark Cacao Kingdom." A wizened old cookie next to the storyteller croaked out. There were sighs of exasperation from the crowd.
"Please, have you been spending too much time with that storyteller? The pale ailment didn't really happen." A snide voice replied.
"The pale ailment really did happen! My grandfather lived in the kingdom during the outbreak!" The old cookie insisted. Clotted Cream at least seemed to take the man more seriously.
"If that was indeed the case, then it means Mystic Flour is involved somehow…" The same snide voice appeared once again.
"Oh and what, next you'll say the Witches brought this plague down upon us. They're all just stories. we need to stay in reality. Clotted Cream, how will you make sure this ailment doesn't spread any further? We can't just take you on your word…" The storyteller started to tune the people out. It was strange why Mystic Flour would decide to strike at this small village. She wasn't usually the most active of Beasts. Or perhaps it was a coincidence. Maybe that other cookie had been right. It was just a sickness that was reminiscent of the pale ailment.
The storyteller must have stayed inside his musings for longer than he realised, because when he next looked up everyone was starting to disperse. The storyteller made a move to leave too, but he was stopped by Financier.
"Storyteller, the mayor wishes to speak with you." Not wanting to keep the mayor waiting he followed her to Clotted Cream's side. He smiled at the approach of the two cookies.
"Ah, Storyteller, I'm so glad I was able to speak with you." His tone turned serious. "I don't want to alarm the children of the village while we start to implement the infectious disease protocols. I know how much the orphans enjoy hearing your stories. Would it be possible for you keep all the children distracted? I'm sure it would make people feel much better knowing their children were as far from this crisis as possible." The storyteller nodded. He would do anything to help the village weather this new storm.
"Of course mayor, tell the parents to bring them to my home in the morning and I'll look after them." Clotted Cream smiled.
"Thank you, the village will owe you a great debt." With a passing nod the Mayor and Financier left. As the storyteller headed back to his home he mentally prepared the next instalment of his story. It seemed things were going to be quite interesting in the days to come.
Notes:
Sorry this chapter was very dialogue heavy, needed to set everything up for this section. We shall resume our torture of our precious Pure Vanilla in the next chapter!
Chapter 4: Act 1: Scene 2
Chapter Text
Pure Vanilla had hoped the day before had been nothing but a cruel nightmare. The instant awareness of something around his neck dashed that hope. He really had failed. The blond felt tears forming. How could he have been so stupid? The healer should have known there was no way he'd be able to trick the master of deceit. What was worse, was the punishment for Pure Vanilla's hubris had fallen squarely on the shoulders of the children. He allowed himself a few moments to grieve. He couldn't afford any more than that though. Pure Vanilla might have failed Gingerbrave, Wizard, and Strawberry, but he wouldn't fail his other friends. There had to be something in this Spire that he could use to help them. Even if the blond was now incapable of going against Shadow Milk himself. The first thing on his agenda was to find the library. Learning how to cast his own mental ward was the most important thing. It would be pointless trying to do anything against the beast if he could still read his thoughts like a simple children's book. It had taken a lot more energy than Pure Vanilla had anticipated just to get out of bed. There was a fleeting moment where he considered just falling back down and allow himself to wallow in self pity. He banished the thought. There would be time for that later.
By the time he had managed to get himself looking even slightly presentable, there was a polite knock on his door. Pure Vanilla hesitated. The blond wasn't sure who would be waiting for him. He doubted it was Candy Apple, in the short time he'd known her, politeness wasn't a quality she possessed. Shadow Milk would never bother using a door. That left only Black Sapphire. Out of all the inhabitants of the Spire Pure Vanilla would prefer to deal with him. Steeling himself the blond grabbed his staff and headed for the door. When he opened it, he was surprised that his guess had been wrong. Standing in front of the door was one of Shadow Milk's well dressed rabbit minions. It was holding a bowl of jellies out to him like an offering. Pure Vanilla gave the rabbit a gentle pat on the head before accepting the bowl with a quiet word of thanks. Finished with its task the rabbit rushed off. Heading to whatever its next one was. The blond took a look at the jellies and his stomach clenched. The thought of eating made him feel sick. How could he eat at a time like this? Pure Vanilla took the bowl and placed it on his nightstand. He would eat later. There were more important things for him to do. The Spire had never been an easy place to traverse, but Pure Vanilla had found it easier now. It was like he knew instinctively how to roam the halls. How to bend them to his will. A side effect of his and Shadow Milk's connection no doubt. Thus finding his way to the library was far simpler than the blond had anticipated. He pushed the large double doors open and couldn't help the gasp he let out. Pure Vanilla was sure he'd never seen so many books before in his entire life. It shouldn't have surprised him. Shadow Milk was once a scholar, but it was shocking he hadn't destroyed the place in a rage. As Pure Vanilla made his way through he couldn't help but sneeze. There was a thick layer of dust on almost every surface. It had clearly been out of use for a while.
The problem with such an expansive library was trying to find the right book. If he just pulled books out at random, it could take him years to find what he was looking for. Time he didn't have. Especially if he wanted to help his friends. The sooner his thoughts were private, the better.
"Do you truly believe you can help your friends? You don't exactly have the best track record with that have you. In fact, I don't think you've ever helped them." Pure Vanilla flinched at the voice. He didn't recognise it. It wasn't the Light of Truth, nor was it Shadow Milk. It almost sounded like… No that wasn't possible.
"Who's there?" Pure Vanilla looked around, trying to locate the voice.
"Over here," it spoke from behind him. The blond turned around and came face to face with a dusty mirror.
"This isn't funny. Shadow Milk if this is your doing, show yourself and end this ridiculous charade." To the healer's surprise the 'reflection' of himself scoffed. Pure Vanilla recoiled in shock. What kind of magic was this?
"There'd be no reason for that performer to pull this kind of trick anymore. You've already fallen. There's no point."
"If it's not his doing, then who are you? Why are you wearing my face?"
"Because I'm you, or. a part of you anyway. You can refer to me as… What did you call yourself during your own failed performance? Ah, yes,'Truthless Recluse'. That will suffice." Pure Vanilla wasn't impressed.
"Why are you here then?" There had to be a reason 'Truthless Recluse' had shown up now. The healer still wasn't completely sure that this wasn't another one of Shadow Milk's cruel tricks.
"To tell you to give up. You can't help your friends. You can't make up for what happened to those children. You're only delaying the inevitable. So spare yourself the pain, and accept your final truth. There's nothing left of you to save."
"If that really was true then you wouldn't be a shade in the mirror. You'd be me." He countered. It was a defensive reaction but he couldn't help it. Perhaps he was being delusional, but the blond didn't want to believe its words.
"Who says I'm not? Can you really look yourself in the eye and say you're still Pure Vanilla?" The healer was starting to get irritated now. He grabbed the closest thing he could find and threw it at the mirror. There was a small feeling of satisfaction at watching it shatter.
"I am not you! Get out of my head!"
"You've only just proved my point," there was nothing smug in its voice. Only a grim, almost pitying, finality. Before he had time to retort the last voice Pure Vanilla wanted to hear rang out.
"Oh Nilly! Where are you my lovely little toy?" The blond sighed, not wanting to deal with Shadow Milk's antics right now. Pure Vanilla lurched as, what he assumed, was the jester crashing into him from behind. "There you are! I was surprised to see you weren't in your room." The words punctuated by a slight nuzzle to his face. The healer pushed out of the beast's grasp and shot him a glare.
"What do you want?" There was a moment of shock on Shadow Milk's face at the hostile tone, before it was quickly replaced with a grin.
"Well, well, well, someone is feisty today. Oh I'm so pleased! I was worried you'd become boring and depressed." Pure Vanilla didn't respond. That didn't appear to matter to the other cookie who was quite happy to continue talking. "What are you doing in this dusty old place?" Shadow Milk gagged. "There are much prettier places for you to be." The blond started to move, restarting his quest to find the books he was looking for.
"I'm looking for something." The beast didn't need to know anything more than that. To his irritation this caused the jester to laugh. He once more flew over to Pure Vanilla and wrapped his arms around his neck.
"You're looking for something in here? The only thing in here is a bunch of musty old books. You won't find anything you're looking for." He shook the other cookie off again. Was the constant touching going to be a new thing the healer would have to suffer through?
"And what makes you say that?" The question made Shadow Milk giggle.
"Pick up a book and find out." Pure Vanilla wasn't sure what the blue cookie was getting at, but he knew if he didn't do as he asked it would be more of a headache. He picked up the closest book to him and opened it up. The blond pointed his staff at it and furrowed his brows. There didn't appear to be words on the page. Just strange symbols. Just as he was beginning to think it was some kind of cipher like the books in the Faerie Kingdom, he jolted when he realised the symbols on the book were moving. Constantly changing their form. Sometimes real words would emerge but they'd vanish in an instant.
"What is this?" Pure Vanilla breathed. Even as he and the children had come through the Spire he'd never seen the books do something like this. They just were filled with lies.
"Oh you want to know the secret? All right, I suppose my darling other half deserves to know… This library belonged to the Fount." The word 'fount' was spat like a curse. "It's a remnant of the Spire of Knowledge. The books, just like the Spire itself, take after their dearly departed owner. Fragmented, chaotic and incomprehensible. Even with the other half of my Soul Jam, you'll never be able to decipher it." Pure Vanilla finally turned to face the beast.
"How can you be so sure of that?" Shadow Milk ruffled the blond's hair, making his pointed hat fall to the ground.
"Oh my dear silly Vanilly. You really don't see it do you? Oh, it's so cute. It's simple, you're just as fragmented as I am." The words might have been spoken blithely but they hit like a physical blow.
"I'll prove you wrong." At the bold declaration Shadow Milk's eyes lit up. His feral smile reappearing.
"Oh ho ho, are you trying to make a bet with me?" That hadn't been the blond's intention, but he nodded anyway.
"Yes, I am. If I can decipher at least one page of this book, you'll teach me how to cast a mental ward."
"And if you can't? If I win, what will you do for me, my precious little toy?" The beast played with Pure Vanilla's soft blond hair. "What do you have left to bargain with?" Truthfully, he hadn't thought that far ahead when he'd made the comment. The healer thought for a moment. The beast had a point, there was very little of him left to give. The first thing that came to mind was his purity, but he banished the thought immediately. Chastising himself for even considering it. The beast had taken so much of him, he wouldn't allow him that. He had to answer soon, he could see Shadow Milk was growing impatient. He'd rather look at that expression though. It meant the beast wasn't looking in on his thoughts. At least, he hoped not.
"A memory." The words had stunned Pure Vanilla just as much as they had the beast of deceit. The shock wore off quickly and a manic laugh filled the cavernous library.
"My, my, my Nilla, you really never do disappoint. Oh I'm so glad I kept you. You really know how to keep things interesting! Very well, I accept your terms. You have twenty four hours to decipher a page of the book you're holding now." The beast kissed his cheek. "I look forward to stealing one of your most precious memories." Shadow Milk backed away with a clap. "Well, I won't disturb you, wouldn't want you to accuse me of being a cheater!" Those words made the blond think of something.
"Wait, how will I know you'll play fair? Do you even know the contents of this book?" Shadow Milk rolled his eyes.
"I'd never lie to my dear Nilly!" Well that was a bold face lie right there. "but… don't worry, I know every piece of knowledge left in this witches-forsaken place. The books might be distorted, but my memory is not." That was definitely up for debate. Pure Vanilla just had to hope he would play fair. It was too late to back out now.
"Any more questions?" The snippy tone was new. He wondered what had set Shadow Milk off this time. Memories of the Fount perhaps? Or the insinuation that he wouldn't remember something as simple as a book in his library. The irritation was gone quickly. Replaced with the same manic energy the blond was used to. The beast summoned a portal, but just as he was about to step through it, he looked back at Pure Vanilla.
"By the way… who were you talking to when I came in?" The healer froze. Not sure how to answer the question. His silence seemed to confirm something in the jester's mind as he cheerfully waved before slipping into the portal. "See you in twenty four hours." When he was finally alone, Pure Vanilla went to sit down and got straight to work. He didn't have much time.
The jellies sent to his room were long forgotten.
Pure Vanilla couldn't tell how many hours he'd spent trying to pour his magic into decoding the book. Sometimes he'd manage full sentences, he even once managed to get the page formatted to how it once was. Each and every time though, something would happen and he'd have to start from scratch. A sudden sound, a slip in concentration. Nothing he did was working. As he worked, the ancient felt the slow, suffocating, presence of Shadow Milk creeping up on him. Pure Vanilla knew it was an intentional tactic to get him to fail. Frustratingly, it was working. The closer the beast came the more frequent his slips of concentration. He glared up at the empty room, knowing it wasn't really empty.
"I thought you said you wouldn't interfere. You aren't playing fair." The blond grumbled. Only silence answered him, but there was a subtle shift in the energy of the room. The jester was clearly pleased at his irritation. The healer closed his eyes and slowly counted to ten. It was fine. He could do this, just shut out all the distractions. Don't give the beast what he wants. Pure Vanilla should have known better than to trust a liar.
A loud clock chime woke Pure Vanilla with a start. He didn't even remember falling asleep. The blond looked down at the page. The nonsense still ever changing. It seemed he had failed.
"Did you have a good nap, my silly Vanilly?" Shadow Milk whispered in his ear from behind. The ancient let out a startled yelp. Not expecting him to be so close. Once his heart rate calmed down he turned his head slightly to see the smug looking beast close to his face.
"You cheated," was all the healer had to say. Shadow Milk let out another laugh.
"Oh how dare my dear Nilly accuse me of cheating! You're so heartless." The jester's dramatics were only annoying Pure Vanilla further. The beast continued. "Tell me then Nills, how exactly did I cheat? If you can prove it to me, then I might be persuaded to concede defeat." The words sounded sincere, but it was surely another lie. That being said, if it meant he didn't have to lose one of his memories, it was worth a shot to play along.
"You deliberately invaded my space, making me lose my concentration." Shadow Milk gave him a completely innocent look at the accusation. It wasn't doing him any favours.
"Aww, we're you so distracted by my wonderful presence that you couldn't concentrate? That's sweet, but hardly my fault. I can't help being irresistible to you!" Pure Vanilla paused, he wasn't completely sure if this next part was true or not, but he needed to know.
"Did you do something to make me sleep so I'd waste precious hours just so you could win?" Instead of a feigned look of innocence that the blond was expecting, there was a look of genuine anger. Shadow Milk moved from his place at his side to directly in front of him.
"Do you really think I would need to resort to such banal tactics?" His voice was low and threatening. There was no trace of his usual teasing in sight. "I don't need to do anything to you, for you to lose. It was inevitable." Pure Vanilla gasped when strings pulled him up from the chair he was in and dragged him over towards the bed. The ancient shivered. Unsure of what the beast would do to him. Despite what he thought, the jester shoved him in front of the nightstand. Sitting there, completely innocuously, was the bowl of jellies he'd been given the day before.
"You didn't pass out because of me. It was because that foolish little brain of yours got so distracted you forgot to eat." Pure Vanilla's face heated up in shame. He had totally forgotten about the jellies. Looking back, he couldn't remember the last time he had eaten. He looked down, not willing to look Shadow Milk in the eyes. The jester didn't allow him that. Shadow Milk grabbed his chin and force the ancient to look at him.
"Is there anything you want to say to me?"
"I'm sorry," the blond whispered.
"For?"
"Thinking that you would resort to putting me to sleep just to win a bet." Shadow Milk patted Pure Vanilla's cheek.
"There, now was that so hard?" The beast pulled away with a flourish. "Well now that all that… unpleasantness, is behind us, I have a prize to collect."
"Will you… tell me what memory you plan on taking?" The jester couldn't help but laugh at the question.
"What would be the point? It's not like you'll remember!" The ancient nodded, feeling dejected, this was all his fault! He never should have bet something so personal.
"You're right it is all your fault! Aww, my poor dear other half, perhaps now you'll understand not to make a bet with me, I never lose after all." In an action that surprised Pure Vanilla, Shadow Milk embraced the blond. "Don't worry my little toy, this won't hurt a bit." The ancient closed his eyes. For a moment he thought he felt the sensation of cold hands inside his mind, but it vanished as quickly as it came. Instead he felt hazy, like he was walking through fog.
In what could have been minutes or hours, Shadow Milk finally let go of Pure Vanilla, the strings disappearing as well. The blond looked at the beast dazed.
"What just happened?" Everything felt muddied in his mind.
"Why you collapsed! And like a good other half I managed to stop you from hitting the floor!" He pointed to the jellies on the table. "I so lovingly brought you some food and you forgot to eat it! Such a silly, silly, cookie." Pure Vanilla looked over at the jellies on the table. He could vaguely recall someone bringing them to him, but everything else was fuzzy. It really must have been a while since he ate.
"Oh…" Shadow Milk grabbed the blond's hand.
"Come on, I'm going to make sure you eat. I can't my precious other half starving to death!" As much as Pure Vanilla didn't want to admit it, he felt warmth bloom in his chest at the beast's words.
"Thank you Shadow Milk…" The blond didn't see the look of vicious delight on the other's face.
Chapter 5: There Lives You All
Notes:
Sorry this took so long to get out. This chapter was a real pain for me to write and had to deal with my skin acting up again. (Chronic hives are hell) The next chapter should, hopefully, be out quicker.
Chapter Text
As decided the night before, all the children of the village were now in the Storyteller’s modest lounge room. He wasn’t used to this many people hearing his stories and it almost made him feel shy. With a deep breath, and calm smile, he spoke.
“Alright children, I know most of you weren’t here for the beginning of this tale, but we are continuing the story of King Pure Vanilla.” Not wanting the other children to feel left out, the Storyteller gave a recap of what had been told the day before.
“Now that you’re all caught up, let us continue.”
King Pure Vanilla was humiliated. The creature, he now refused to call a God, was right. In his blind faith, he had hoped for a magical cure. The king should have known better. Nothing comes for free in this world.
“What are you? You are no God.” The king asked. The false God had the audacity to smile and laugh.
“Oh you foolish little king. You’re wrong, I am a God. Just not of Knowledge.” The God took a mocking bow in front of King Pure Vanilla. “I am the God of Trickery and Deceit! You may call me Shadow Milk.” The king’s eyes widened. He had heard the tales of Shadow Milk. Powerful and terrible. Causing chaos and destruction everywhere he went. He had also heard the rumours that the God was incomplete. A piece of him forcibly taken away.
“Now, as you lost our little game, I think it’s time you return what belongs to me. It’s clear you don’t deserve it.” The God pointed to the blue clover pinned to the king’s robes. The stolen power, the missing piece. A soul jam. “It’s time you play fair little king.” The king, though, was selfish. He may have lost the game, but he wouldn’t give up the power he didn’t deserve.
“No! It was taken from you for a reason! I won’t give it back!” Shadow Milk almost had to give the king credit. Despite his insolence, it was brave of the king to stand up against him. That wouldn’t change anything. The God grew in size to intimidate the king.
“While you may have lost, our game has put me in a charitable mood. You have three days and nights to return to me what is mine. If you don’t, I will raze your kingdom to the ground.” With his threat made, Shadow Milk disappeared. Leaving the king alone.
King Pure Vanilla, in an attempt to selfishly keep a hold of his stolen power, hid the soul jam. He hoped that if he feigned to have lost it, then the God of Deceit would spare his subjects. In his mind, it was the perfect solution. His subjects and kingdom would be safe and he wouldn’t need to give up the stolen power.
When Shadow Milk returned. The king put his foolish plan into motion. The God looked down at the mortal and noticed that the brooch that once sat proudly on King Pure Vanilla’s pristine robes was conspicuously absent.
“Where is the soul jam, little king?” His impatience was clear in his tone. King Pure Vanilla gave him a distressed look.
“Someone stole it last night! I don’t know where the thieves went.” The king had thought he sounded convincing enough, but he had forgotten something. He was daring to lie to the God of Deceit himself. Shadow Milk, impressed by the brazenness of the king, decided to play along.
“Oh my how terrible! You must be less deserving of my power than I thought. Letting someone abscond with something so important. How pitiful, if you can’t look after your own possessions, how can you possibly look after the lives of the people in your kingdom?” King Pure Vanilla paled at the God’s words. Just what was he implying? Shadow Milk continued.
“Yes, I think the best course of action would be to take your subjects away from you.” King Pure Vanilla was completely blindsided by the God of Deceit’s words. He had never expected that would be the consequence of his little trick.
“No, please, there’s no need to be so hasty! I am perfectly capable of looking after my subjects. I’m sure we’ll be able to catch the culprits behind the theft, just give me some more time.” The king begged. Shadow Milk pretended to think about the monarch’s words.
“No, no, I think it would be much better if your subjects were under my care. They’ll be far safer with me.” The king was at a crossroads. If he gave the soul jam up now, the god would know he had lied, and might destroy his kingdom in a rage for daring to try and deceive him, but if he kept with the lie he would lose his subjects anyway. King Pure Vanilla took in a shuddering breath.
“Wait… I lied, the soul jam wasn’t stolen… I-I hid it to try and fool you. Please don’t punish my subjects for my lies.” The god smirked at the admission. It was just as he expected. The king had always extolled the virtue of truth, it was only natural that the king come clean.
“You dared lie to the God of Deceit? Oh that won’t do little king. No, not at all. I think you need to be punished, wouldn’t you agree?” The king felt his breath catch in his throat. What would he do? “Oh yes… you definitely need to be punished, but what to do with you?” Once again Shadow Milk pretended to think, despite already having an idea in mind.
“I know!” He exclaimed as if he’d just come up with the idea. “I think I’ll take your subjects anyway. After all, what is a king without his people? I’ll make sure they know that their king bargained their lives away by daring to deceive me.” King Pure Vanilla panicked and fell to the ground in front of the god.
“Please, don’t take them away. They’ve done nothing to you. Punish me, I’m the one who deserves it.” Shadow Milk simply smirked at the pathetic display before vanishing. His last words a whisper left in his wake.
“Oh, but this is your punishment.” At the god’s disappearance King Pure Vanilla rushed through his castle. Not a single servant in sight. He ran through the gardens, the residential districts, the markets, it was the same. All empty. There seemed to not be a single soul left in his kingdom.
And so the king was a king no more.
One of the new kids, a boy, glared up at the Storyteller. Clearly not impressed.
“So that’s the end? How boring. From what the other kids kept telling me, your stories are supposed to be good, this is just a life lesson. We get it, lying is bad.” It was Golden Cheese who came to his immediate defence.
“How dare you complain about the Storyteller! His stories are treasures to behold! Not just a life lesson!” White Lily nodded at her friend’s comment.
“She’s right, the way he tells his stories is as if they actually happened. It makes us feel like he was really there.” She agreed quietly. Another one of the newer kids scoffed.
“Like they actually happened? Please, like there’s really a floating kingdom out there somewhere.” The comments flared into an argument. The two sides being the Storyteller’s usual guests and the new ones. Throughout it all the Storyteller kept his trademark serene smile.
“Children please, settle down.” At his words they all quieted. Despite his voice still being serene there was a steady authoritative tone. Commanding in a delicate way. He looked at the first child who spoke up against the story.
“Who ever said the story was over? This is just the beginning of Pure Vanilla’s fate… As to your second point, most fairytales are life lessons. Moral guidance wrapped in fantastical packages. That doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy them.” The kid looked down and picked at a loose thread of the rug he was sitting on.
“I mean I guess… but that still doesn’t change anything! It was boring! The king lost his subjects, who cares? We all know there’s going to be a boring happy ending. That’s how it always goes.” The Storyteller hummed at the reply.
“You think all fairytales end happily? Tell me, have you heard the story of The Boy Who Cried Wolf?” Another girl chimed in at his question.
“Of course, we all have. A bored Shepard boy one day decided to yell that there was a wolf attacking his flock, but when people came to help they saw it was just a prank. The boy kept doing it and eventually he was forcibly supervised, so that he would have to behave. It’s just another fairytale telling us that lying means you lose your freedom.” At the girl’s confident reply the Storyteller couldn’t help but laugh. Startling the children.
“Is that really what you were told the ending was? That isn’t how the tale goes.” Now he had all of their attention. “In the real story, the boy continues to cry wolf until one day a real wolf appeared. He cried and cried but no one came to his rescue. They all assumed he was lying again. The wolf devours the shepherd’s flock and then the shepherd himself. Stories don’t always have happy endings, so who’s to say this one does? Are you willing to find out?” Just as he posed the question, there was a knock on the Storyteller’s door. He quickly walked over and found the mayor, his guard, and a few others waiting for him. He recognised some of the people as the parents of a few of the children in his care. He even noticed Earl Grey was there as well.
“Apologies for coming around unexpectedly. We’re here to escort the children home.” Clotted Cream said. It was a bit of a surprise to the Storyteller. From how everyone was acting last night it felt like his duty looking after the children would last much longer than this. He wondered what had changed so suddenly.
“Of course, but I’m surprised to see everyone back so quickly…” He kept his voice low and his reply vague so the children, even if they had heard, wouldn’t understand. The mayor nodded.
“I’ll explain once the children have returned to the safety of their homes.” The Storyteller returned back to the children.
“What’s wrong?” Hollyberry asked. The Storyteller smiled.
“Earl Grey is here to take you back early.” He then looked at the other children. “Your parents are outside as well. Best not keep them waiting.” The girl who had told her version of ‘The Boy Who Cried Wolf’ gave him a shy look. She looked back at the others for courage before speaking.
“We were wondering… Could we come back tomorrow and hear more of your story too?” The Storyteller smiled at them all.
“You’re all welcome to come back. I’d love to have you.” The girl, he dubbed ‘Strawberry’ looked relieved.
As each child left the Storyteller made sure to wave at them all. Pleased to know he had piqued their interests. Soon all who remained was Clotted Cream and Financier.
“Now that the little ones have left, would you care to come in and discuss things further?” The mayor gave him a politician's smile.
“No, no, that won’t be necessary. I won’t be here long. I have others to see after you. I’ll get straight to the point. The afflicted cookies… they’re all cured.” The Storyteller’s eyes widened in surprise. How did such a thing happen? He noticed that Financier was taking a very close look at him. Almost as if she was trying to find something in his expression.
“We aren’t sure how. This morning when the carers came to check on them, their dough was as crispy and fresh as the day they were baked. It’s curious… they looked as if they were at death’s door barely twelve hours ago. What could have possibly changed…” It almost felt to the Storyteller that he was being questioned.
“Is there something you wish to ask me, mayor?” The political smile came right back.
“Nothing at all, just wished to inform you. While we’ll be easing restrictions, it’s best to still be on guard. I fear something strange is going on with our village. All of us need to be vigilant. Now if you excuse me, I still have a few others to inform. Have a good day, Storyteller.” With another suspicious look thrown his way by Financier the two of them left. The Storyteller closed the door to his home and hummed. He wondered what he should have for dinner.
Chapter 6: Act 1: Scene 3
Notes:
The tags have now been updated, and the rating has been changed to 'explicit', please make sure to check out the new tags! I hope you enjoy.
(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)
Chapter Text
In the past week Shadow Milk had been… nice wasn’t the right word, Pure Vanilla would never call him that, but pleasant. His games had lacked their usual hidden malevolent tricks, the Spire’s twisting halls were easier to navigate, but the most obvious change was Shadow Milk no longer abusing their connection to spy on his thoughts. Pure Vanilla had yet to make headway on mental wards, but with the jester respecting his private thoughts it was less of a priority to him. If he had to pinpoint a reason for this change, it was probably after that night he’d fainted in the blue cookie’s arms. It had started with that first dinner. The healer had assumed it would be more of the same. Biting, smart remarks about how silly he is. Irritating anecdotes or stories, but that wasn’t the case at all. For the first time Pure Vanilla had realised that Shadow Milk could be a wonderful conversation partner. Well read in the arts, history, politics. The blond couldn’t remember the last time he’d enjoyed another cookie’s company as much as he had that night. He figured it would be a one night aberration, but when he’d nearly passed out from hunger a few more times that Shadow Milk had to save him from, it was decided he would take his meals with the jester from that point on to ensure he ate. Pure Vanilla could never clearly remember the times, but it didn’t seem out of the ordinary. He’d always had the bad habit of forgetting meals for some reason or another. It was never intentional, it just would slip his mind, or there was someone who needed it more than he did. As he was heading to another one of his and Shadow Milk’s dinners, he found himself catching a glimpse of himself in a mirror.
”I’m glad you’re finally taking my advice.” The voice shocked him. He turned fully to the mirror; it seemed ‘Truthless Recluse’ was paying him another visit.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” Pure Vanilla kept walking. Not wanting to bother with the shade.
”Walking away from your reflection won’t do any good. I’m not in the mirror, I’m you after all. Besides, I only wanted to tell you how relieved I am to see you giving in. You know we’ve never liked to see other cookies in pain.”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” But as he spoke his steps faltered.
"Claim ignorance all you wish, but let me ask you this, a week ago would you have been willing to happily dine with the cookie who turned those children into lifeless puppets?" Pure Vanilla stopped entirely at the question. There soon came a mirthless laugh.
"That’s what I thought." By the witches, ‘Truthless Recluse’ was right. He’s been enjoying the company of a man who wouldn’t bat an eye at suffering. What had become of him? Were his principles so flimsy that they would vanish at a few fleeting moments of kindness and a stimulating conversation? Pure Vanilla turned on his heel and walked straight back to his room. His stomach was churning. How could he betray those children by entertaining their essential murderer. As he walked Pure Vanilla didn’t notice the eyes that had been watching the entire conversation play out.
There was something that Pure Vanilla had noticed. Something he, admittedly, should have realised long before now. He hadn’t seen any cookies aside from Shadow Milk. Sure the blond would see the various servants and puppets of the jester, but they weren’t cookies. The last time he’d seen one other than Shadow Milk was Black Sapphire when he had taken the children away from him. He couldn’t be sure how long ago that had been, but it was strange. Especially not seeing Candy Apple. She always seemed to be barely two steps away from Shadow Milk, not seeing her was… disconcerting. Pure Vanilla had decided the next time he saw the jester he would ask where they were. If he was going to be stuck here indefinitely then he should learn to get along with the others. The second he finished the thought, a heavy weight fell onto him from behind causing him to stumble.
“Was that really necessary?” The exhaustion clear in Pure Vanilla’s voice.
“Is anything ever really necessary Nills?” Shadow Milk chirped, clearly pleased with himself. He punctuated his comment with a tight squeeze around the healer’s torso. Since the other was here, he might as well ask the question.
“Where are Black Sapphire and Candy Apple?” Pure Vanilla felt the blue cookie squeeze him again, harder this time.
“What, is my company not enough for you? I’m a little hurt.” The teasing lit was still in his voice, but underneath it was something cold. It made the blonde shiver in his hold.
“I just haven’t seen them around the Spire, I was concerned something might have happened.” Shadow Milk laughed and nuzzled against Pure Vanilla’s cheek.
“Oh you know how much I love it when you lie! As a reward, I’ll even play along! Both my lovely minions have missions that are taking them out of the Spire for the time being. Lies to spread, chaos to cause, you know how it is! Keeps us all very busy. They’ll be back to play soon though, but until then, you have me all to yourself! You should be honoured really! Very few cookies get such unfettered access to someone of my magnificence.” Pure Vanilla shook Shadow Milk off before turning to face him.
“What do you want? I know you didn’t just come here to bother me.” Shadow Milk floated loosely where he’d been shaken off to, a pout on his face that seemed to vanish at the question. He dramatically flipped into a laying position in the air. His hands under his chin.
“What? Can’t a cookie come visit his favourite plaything?” That was it? Pure Vanilla sighed and turned back to keep walking. He should have known better than to expect the jester would answer honestly. The blond could practically feel the displeasure of being ignored rolling off the other in waves. He half expected the jester to lash out, so when Shadow Milk grabbed his wrist Pure Vanilla tensed. Ready for whatever childish punishment he might receive for ignoring him. Instead he was met with silence. Bracing himself the healer turned around and was surprised to see an almost conflicted expression on the blue cookies face.
“I wanted to show you something.” He mumbled. Not expecting such a strange display of… dare he call it, vulnerability? It seemed utterly absurd.
“Alright.”
Pure Vanilla allowed himself to be led through the winding halls of the Spire, his wrist still in the other’s grasp. Shadow Milk was being oddly subdued and the blond would admit that unsettled him. Shadow Milk might be unpredictable and yet, paradoxically, his unpredictability was fairly predictable. Like it was just another one of his performances. He knew it was part of the script, so he acted it out accordingly. This was different. Something almost shy and cautious. Not unlike a feral cat testing if it could really trust you. They stopped in front of an ordinary door, but the plaque on it made the jam in his veins run cold.
Prop Storage
“What, what is the meaning of this?” Pure Vanilla couldn’t help the shake in his voice. Was this a punishment for his thoughts? After having his privacy, seemingly, being respected he had allowed himself to openly think things he otherwise would’ve tried to suppress? The blond spared a quick glance at the jester. His expression wasn’t what he was expecting. Where Pure Vanilla thought he’d see manic glee, it was that same subdued expression.
“Just open the door Pure Vanilla.” That was another mark in the strange column, no nickname. With trembling hands he opened the door and was shocked at what he saw. It was an elaborate playroom. Any child’s dream come true. He took a few hesitant steps inside. There were soft beanbag chairs, stuffed toys, the far wall was even adorned with a large climbing frame with rope ladders and platforms. Even a cute little crow’s nest at its apex. Perfect for having little adventures. Games of all kinds littered the floor, puzzles left unfinished on tables. It looked lived in. As if the children it belonged to had simply stepped out quickly, perhaps called down to dinner or heading off to school. Pure Vanilla could imagine the children playing here. Having adventures, safe from the cruel reality of the world. He turned back to Shadow Milk, tears in his eyes.
“What is all this? Why are you showing it to me?!” The blond shouted. This was cruel, vile, even for Shadow Milk. The other cookie didn’t react to his outburst, instead he floated towards another door Pure Vanilla hadn’t noticed before.
“This isn’t what I wanted to show you, this is.” The blue cookie opened the door, waiting for Pure Vanilla to come over. For a stubborn moment the blond wanted nothing more to stay where he was. To refuse to continue playing such a horrible game, but he knew it would be pointless. All that would happen was Shadow Milk would lose his patience and just drag him kicking and screaming. There was no other option. With a bitter sigh Pure Vanilla walked over and braced himself for what lay beyond the door. What he saw took his breath away. It was another large room, this one was sectioned off. The left, right and back walls were all decorated differently with the centre being a mixture of the three. To his left was bright pink. A large gaming console was leaned against the wall, a giant slipper being used as a bed, with Strawberry tucked into it. To the right was decorated in blue with stars. A large open spell book taking up the largest portion of the area. Other larger books were piled up as well, with Wizard on top of one of the stacks. Covered in a starry blanket. It was the one directly across from him that really made Pure Vanilla’s heart stutter. Next to a charming little fireplace was a large armchair, Gingerbrave slumped into it. Pure Vanilla’s tears flowed down his cheeks. Each one looked as if they were simply asleep. Exhausted after a long day of adventuring and saving the world. The healer could pretend, pretend they would wake up at any moment. Rush up to him all excited and wide eyed asking about what new adventures they’d get up to today. He didn’t know how to feel. On the one hand, it still hurt to know that they never would awaken, but the jester didn’t have to go to all of this trouble. To make a lovely home for them. A stage, not a storeroom. Pure Vanilla stepped into the centre of the room and fell to the ground.
“Why?” Was all he could choke out. Too consumed by far too many conflicting feelings.
“The little gna-…” Shadow Milk stopped himself before continuing. “These kids deserved it. I have to admit, while I didn’t agree with what they were trying to do, they had guts. Most adults wouldn’t have been brave enough to do what they did. I figured they deserved more than to just sit in a dusty closet.” Pure Vanilla allowed himself to sob, to fully crumple. He didn’t care that the other cookie was there. Letting his grief overcome him once more.
After what had felt like an eternity, Pure Vanilla wobbly stood up. His tears long since dried. He was surprised that when he turned around Shadow Milk was still there. He had half expected the jester to have left by now.
“Please… Take me back to my chambers.” He was exhausted and just wanted to be alone. Thankfully the blue cookie did as he was asked for once. Opening a portal for the blond to walk through. Pure Vanilla wasn’t sure why he was being so accommodating, but he wasn’t going to complain. Safely back in his chambers, Pure Vanilla fell onto his bed, giving into the sweet oblivion of unconsciousness. If the Witches were merciful, he wouldn’t dream.
Pure Vanilla found himself pacing his chambers. He had no idea how to feel after Shadow Milk’s little stunt the day before. It still hurt to see the children in his care, ones who counted on him to protect them, practically lifeless, he would admit that it hurt less knowing they were at least being treated kindly. That their bodies were in a place he was sure they’d have loved. Pure Vanilla growled at himself, if they were alive they could enjoy it. He knew that was the more rational part of his mind, but there was another part, a part he hated to admit to himself, that was fond of the other. He would always make sure he would eat, could be a decent conversationalist when he wanted to be, and as much as he hated to admit it, those fleeting touches and the clingy behaviour felt good. It had been so long since he had seen another cookie. He could feel himself crave that kind of intimacy. Pure Vanilla shook himself as he stopped pacing. No, he couldn’t let any of that affect him. He has to stay strong. He couldn’t let Shadow Milk in.
“Your thoughts are quite loud today.” Pure Vanilla let out a startled yelp and clutched his chest. His traitorous heart was racing, and it was only partially from the shock.
“It’s rude to sneak up on people!” The blond’s voice was breathless. Not to mention reading their thoughts, but that was a losing battle. Pure Vanilla glared at the intruder who seemed perfectly content to float above him with a look of overly exaggerated irritation.
“Well excuse me for being unable to focus on any of my very important tasks due to listening to your chaotic thoughts. Honestly, how did you get anything done as a king with that frazzled little brain of yours? Really! It’s exhausting to listen to. So disjointed.” Pure Vanilla suppressed the urge to roll his eyes when Shadow Milk turned his head further than cookie’s head should go at the word ‘disjointed’. The exasperation at his antics vanished when the jester’s words fully sunk in. He heard his thoughts… He heard him debating his conflicted feelings.
“What… exactly did you hear?” Shadow Milk righted his head at the question.
“I told you, it was disjointed.” He let out a sharp laugh that made Pure Vanilla flinch. “Honestly your thoughts are more chaotic than mine! Not an easy feat, I must say.” Okay, that was… good. He hadn’t heard anything incriminating. A small voice said there was a chance that the blue cookie was lying, but he squashed it down. He couldn’t afford to second guess himself. Before Pure Vanilla could find a way to dismiss Shadow Milk he found himself almost nose-to-nose with him. When had he gotten that close? He had that infuriatingly smug look on his face, something that never boded well for him.
“You have me wondering now… What inane little thought did you have that you’re just so desperate to make sure little old me didn’t hear it?” The blond’s breath hitched. He didn’t like having Shadow Milk this close.
“It was nothing really…” He breathed. The jester’s face didn’t change.
“Oh how I love it when you lie.” By the Witches he was so insufferable. Pure Vanilla let his staff drop to the floor as he grabbed the blue cookie by the ridiculous ruffles around his neck, and kissed him.
Pure Vanilla regretted the action immediately. It was a mistake. An impulse he gave into on a whim. The kiss was short and chaste, but the blond hated himself for that single moment of weakness. What surprised him was Shadow Milk’s reaction, by which he meant nothing. No grabbing at his waist or deepening the kiss. Completely stunned. Pure Vanilla took a hasty step back.
“I’m sorry, I-I don’t know why I did that.” The smile the blond got in return was something he didn’t think the other was capable of making. It seemed deceptively… soft.
“Oh but I do, you feel our connection blossoming, even if your conscious mind can’t process it. On some level you’ve accepted the words you spoke the day we met. You and I were meant to be together.” As he spoke the jester moved closer, Pure Vanilla found himself rooted to the floor as Shadow Milk’s hand came to caress his cheek. “Give into it Nilly, we both know you want to.” The words were whispered into his mouth. Close enough that the healer could feel the way his lips shaped each word. He couldn’t tell you who initiated the next kiss. Pure Vanilla felt Shadow Milk twine his fingers into his hair as he deepened the kiss. The blond felt a pleasant haze seem to come over him. It felt… nice. To be touched, to feel as if he were loved.
The hazy feeling vanished when Pure Vanilla felt the jester’s other hand squeeze his ass. A sudden wave of clarity washed over him. He couldn’t do this. He didn’t want this. The healer tried to push Shadow Milk away.
“No, please… stop. I-I can’t.” The blue cookie grabbed both of his hands.
“Oh my dear silly Vanilly, you can and you will. You know you want this, so why delay the inevitable?” Pure Vanilla shook his head and tried to escape the harsh grip.
“Let me go!” Pure Vanilla managed to break free, but not for long. Blue strings wrapped themselves around his wrists and pinned them behind his back. The healer’s eyes were wild and panicked as he tried to escape the room. More strings appeared, tying his feet to the floor. With his hazy sight, Pure Vanilla couldn’t see the expression on Shadow Milk’s face but he doubted it was anything good. He could see the blur heading towards him.
“Oh my dear Nilly, I really had hoped it wouldn’t have to come to this.” There was an unexpected exasperation in his tone. “But, it can’t be helped.” Pure Vanilla did his best to try and escape his bonds, but it was useless. Shadow Milk placed a hand on his cheek and he felt a strangely familiar sensation of cold hands in his mind.
“No… Stop please…” the words were slightly slurred. He didn’t know what was happening, but his body was trying to fight it.
“Shh, my precious little toy, just let it happen.” Shadow Milk’s voice was oddly soothing. The fog enveloped his mind and he allowed it.
When Pure Vanilla came back to awareness the first thing he noticed was Shadow Milk calling his name.
“…Nilly! Are you there! Hello? Earthbread to Pure Vanilla?” The second thing he noticed was he was bound. His bleary stare looked at the blue blob he assumed was Shadow Milk.
“Shadow Milk… What… What happened? Why am I bound?”
“Oh there you are!” He felt the jester hug him. “Oh I was so so so so worried! Welcome back my dear other half.” That hadn’t answered his question.
“Why am I bound?” The blond’s voice was stronger this time.
“Oh my silly Nilly, did you really forget? You wanted to be tied up!” That didn't sound right at all. Seeing he wasn’t convinced the blue cookie continued. “You kissed me, you wanted things to go further but insisted to be bound. I thought it would be a bit much for your first time, but you were insistent and I could hardly ignore your wishes, but the second I did, you went catatonic! I could barely snap you out of it.” Pure Vanilla wracked his brain. He distantly remembered the kiss, but everything else was just gone. A gap in his memory.
“No… no that can’t be right… I would never have done such a thing.” That he was sure of, but it also sounded like a ridiculous lie. No, the jester would never lie that badly. It had to be something else, but why would he lie about him being tied up, and how did it relate to his lack of memory? The strings vanished and he saw the Shadow Milk shaped blob shrug.
“Believe what you want Nills, but that’s what happened. I’ll see you later.” The jester vanished quicker than Pure Vanilla had ever seen. Something had definitely happened, but he just didn’t know what. Pure Vanilla sat on the edge of his bed. Trying in vain to remember what possibly could have happened. He started with what he knew for a fact. He’d been having conflicted feelings about Shadow Milk. He had kissed Shadow Milk. His mind went blank, and then Shadow Milk started acting strangely. Making up an obvious lie and rushing away from the scene. Could he have… confessed his conflicting feelings? That would make more sense. Shadow Milk clearly didn’t have much experience with intimacy. Yes, yes that sounded more likely. He must have said something and Shadow Milk had no idea how to handle it, so he defaulted to what he knew. That didn’t explain his lack of memory though. Pure Vanilla sighed. He wasn’t going to get any further. Best to just lay down and hope the memories come back to him in time.
After the strange encounter in his room, Shadow Milk had been avoiding Pure Vanilla. No more shared meals, or randomly being bothered for a game of some sort. It was like the blond was the only cookie left in the Spire. That didn’t mean he hadn’t noticed Shadow Milk’s presence. Food was delivered to his door by one of the rabbit servants, and to make sure he ate, they would watch him eat every bite before they left. It was that kind of care that only fuelled his strange feelings for the blue cookie. There were other instances as well. Portraits whose eyes would follow him in the halls. The feeling of being watched everywhere, the biggest one was the feeling there was someone right behind him, but when the blond would turn around there was nothing but shadows. It only solidified in his mind that he must have confessed something to Shadow Milk and the other cookie couldn’t handle it. That all being said, Pure Vanilla was getting quite tired of all his hiding. While he’d never admit it to Shadow Milk, he missed the presence of other cookies. With Black Sapphire and Candy Apple off doing their own things, Pure Vanilla hadn’t seen a single other cookie. It was like the Spire was only inhabited by the rabbits and other staff. As lovely as they were, it wasn’t the same. Besides, most of the staff ignored him unless absolutely necessary. So the blond hatched a plan. Like clockwork there was a knock on Pure Vanilla’s chamber door. As expected when he opened it, it was another little rabbit, this time with a bowl of candy pasta. The healer affectionately patted the head of the rabbit but refused to take the food.
“Please tell your master that from now on, I won’t eat until I’ve seen him again.” The rabbit held the bowl up higher. Urging for Pure Vanilla to take it.
“I’m sorry little one, but I won’t accept it.” The rabbit looked at him with its big black eyes, pleading. Oh he hoped nothing would happen to it because he wouldn’t allow it to complete its mission, but Shadow Milk was about to learn that he could be as stubborn as a ram when he wanted to be. Pure Vanilla closed the door on the rabbit and locked it. As he expected, there was another knock on the door, but he didn’t answer. It was time to play a waiting game.
As it turns out Shadow Milk was being just as stubborn as Pure Vanilla was, but this was one game the jester wasn’t going to win. It had been, from what Pure Vanilla could gather by the feeding schedule the rabbits seemed to be on, it had been about a day and half. It was so hard to tell though. The Spire could make hours feel like days, and yet weeks could fly by in a matter of minutes. The strangest thing was though, despite his lack of eating for so long, he hadn’t had any fainting spells. Normally the blond should have had one or two by now. He dismissed the thought. Surely it was nothing. Probably just his determination to get his attention. Yes, yes that was surely it. Then again, if he fainted that would be sure to get Shadow Milk’s attention? It seemed he wouldn’t need to wonder any longer. There was a subtle shift in the air. Something Pure Vanilla would have surely missed if he hadn’t been waiting for it.
“Have you finally decided to talk to me, Shadow Milk?” The blond didn’t turn around. There was no immediate reply. In fact, as the silence dragged on Pure Vanilla began to wonder if he had made a mistake. Maybe he wasn’t there at all? His desperation making him imagine things that weren’t there.
“You haven’t been eating. The rabbits have been worried.” Shadow Milk’s voice was chiding, but the blond sighed in relief. So he was there after all. Pure Vanilla turned around to face the blue cookie’s judgement.
“I had to get your attention somehow, you’ve been ignoring me.” With a shock the blond realised he had a small smile on his face. Not an expression he should have directed at the cookie in front of him. The reproachful look in the jester’s face changed to one of delight.
“You’re getting quite the flair for dramatics! Oh I really am so proud!” The emotion passed just as fleetingly as the first, going back to scolding. “But there are other less… drastic ways of getting my attention. Like say, blowing up a part of the Spire.” A pair of glasses suddenly manifested on Shadow Milk’s face. “So tell me, why do your methods always involve some form of self destruction?” He dramatically adjusted said glasses. “Come on, tell your old pal Shadow Milk!” Without his consent a small laugh escaped Pure Vanilla’s lips at the other’s antics. A hand went to his mouth. He hadn’t meant for that to happen. It was clear the jester wasn’t expecting it either. His grin grew impossibly huge.
“Oooh, was that a laugh I managed to pull out of you? My, my oh my, today must be special indeed… Or has the lack of sustenance finally snapped that silly little brain of yours?” Right, his hunger strike. Now that he had Shadow Milk here, he needed to focus on the task at hand.
“Why did you lie so badly and leave so quickly the other day?” Pure Vanilla decided to get directly to the point. The manic glee vanished. Something more forced appeared in its place. A mask. For a fleeting moment Pure Vanilla felt an intense feeling of loneliness and vulnerability. It was gone before he had a chance to understand where it came from.
“I just remembered Black Sapphire was meant to debrief me about his most recent rumours. I have to go… but you need to eat something. Someone might think you’re being mistreated here!” Before he had a chance to escape through a portal, Pure Vanilla grabbed his wrist.
“Please, talk to me.”
“Let go ‘Nilla.” It seemed the jester wasn’t going to open up. It seemed the blond would have to be the first one to take the step. He took a deep breath.
“I confessed before I passed out, didn’t I? That’s why you panicked.” He took the silence to keep going. “I…” Pure Vanilla looked down. Witches, he couldn’t believe what he was about to say. It went against everything rational in his head. “I know you might not believe me, I can hardly believe it myself but… I find myself drawn to you, and I don’t know why, but I’m finding it harder and harder to deny.” The healer braved a look at Shadow Milk’s face. His eyes were wide as saucers. Complete disbelief practically radiated off the cookie.
“You-you don’t mean that Nilly, not really.” He wrenched his wrist out of the blond’s grip, floating out of reach. There was a shaky laugh, it slowly blew into unhinged cackling. When the laughter died away Pure Vanilla was shot with a venomous glare. “You really need to work on your lying. You really are terrible at it. Didn’t anyone ever tell you not to toy with other cookie’s emotions? I never knew you could be so cruel.”
“I’m not lying! How can I prove it to you?” That seemed to pull Shadow Milk up short. It seemed like he didn’t foresee such a question. The jester mumbled something, but Pure Vanilla couldn’t make it out.
“I’m sorry, I didn’t understand what you said.” Shadow Milk growled but complied, his skin turning a delightful shade of purple.
“Kiss me again…” The blond held out his hand, awaiting him to return within arms reach. With another grumble he floated back down. As soon as he was close enough, Pure Vanilla grabbed his arm and pulled him down for a kiss. While the healer couldn’t say he remembered too much of their first kiss, the memory still hazy to him, this one was full of conviction. He tried to pour as much proof as he could into it. When they broke the kiss Pure Vanilla felt flushed and breathless.
“I don’t regret it.” Shadow Milk looked out of it, confused at the words, he tilted his head. Once again the blond was reminded of a feral cat. He clarified. “I don’t regret kissing you.” As soon as the words left his mouth, Shadow Milk’s lips were on his again. As they kissed, he felt the jester’s sharp teeth bite down on his bottom lip, just enough to draw a little bit of blood. Pure Vanilla understood immediately and obediently opened his mouth for the other’s tongue to explore. His mouth tasted of blueberries intermingled with the tangy hint of raspberry jam. The blond moaned at the taste. Loving every moment of it. Pure Vanilla could feel himself being led to the bed and he couldn’t find it in him to pull away. His staff was the first thing to be discarded. Shadow Milk prying it out of his hand and dropping it somewhere. When his thighs hit the back of the bed his hat was the next thing to go. Jarred off his head from the collision. It barely registered to him. Instead he pulled his arms around Shadow Milk’s neck. As he was pushed down onto the bed.
It was Shadow Milk who broke the kiss. His lips moved to kiss Pure Vanilla’s cheek, and then slowly down to his neck. He stopped just shy of the collar. He sucked gently at the sensitive skin there. The blond’s breath hitched at the sensation. He was sure it was going to leave a mark. The healer felt a laugh rumble against his skin.
“You really are so sensitive ‘Nilla, oh it’s going to be so much fun!” He whispered between peppered kisses. Shadow Milk abruptly pulled away and Pure Vanilla was ashamed to admit he whined at the loss. That led to another amused laugh.
“Needy too I see… Don’t worry little lamb, I’m not done with you yet, but you’re overdressed for the next act. As Earthbread’s premier playwright and director, every puppet on my stage must look picture perfect in every scene they’re in. So be still, my most treasured marionette, and let me mould you into the star you were always meant to be.” Pure Vanilla found it hard to keep track of what Shadow Milk was saying. The blond was hit with a strange sense of déjà vu. The pleasant haze blanketing him felt so familiar and yet couldn’t place why. For some reason that thought troubled him, but not for long. The unease drifting away like smoke. Leaving only the pleasure behind. The next few seconds for the healer were only recorded in feelings. Each lingering touch as he was stripped layer by layer. A squeeze to the thigh, a caress across his chest, a hand grasped gently over the collar at his throat. A faint hint of clarity returned to him with a slap on the ass, which caused Pure Vanilla to moan.
“Well isn’t that a delightful little detail… Oh you are just so full of surprises Nilly. I’ll save that for another day. After all this is your first time, isn’t it?” The blond’s cheeks darkened.
“Y-yes…” It was a miracle he could push through the haze to speak. “Please… be gentle.” The plea was so softly spoken it could have been mistaken for the wind. A quick kiss was placed on his lips.
“Don’t worry, you are the most perfect canvas. All that pretty tanned dough. It would be a waste to just ruin it, no, I’ll make sure for your first time that you’re treated like the royalty you are.” The words were accompanied by a teasing hand brushing against Pure Vanilla’s rapidly growing erection causing the blond to arch and gasp. It was like nothing he had ever felt before.
“So responsive, I wonder what other little noises I can pull out of you…” The jester took the blond’s cock into his hand and began to stroke it. Pure Vanilla could barely focus on it, not when Shadow Milk had his lips around one of his mocha nipples. He shouted and moaned. It felt so good, so many new sensations. It was heavenly. The blue cookie popped off the first nipple and moved to the other. Pure Vanilla could feel him rolling and nibbling at the nub. That alongside the hand still pumping his length was enough to have the healer coming with a long moan. It was incredible. He was panting. So this was what all the fuss was about. He wondered why it had taken him so long to do this. It was a good thing though, that he had saved himself for the cookie above him, but he did feel guilty. Nothing had happened and he’d already come.
“I’m sorry… I didn’t mean to.” He wished he could have lasted longer. Shadow Milk didn’t reply verbally, just trapped him in another bruising kiss. It was only when they separated for air again that he responded.
“Oh that’s so cute, you thought we were done? Oh no, we’re not even close to finishing. I fully intend to fuck you tonight.”
Shadow Milk used his magic to remove his leotard, and summoned a bottle of lubricant. Coating his fingers liberally he placed one finger near Pure Vanilla’s entrance. He didn’t insert it straight away, instead he circled around it, Pure Vanilla shuddered at the sensation. Whether from fear or anticipation, he couldn’t tell. After what felt like an eternity Shadow Milk finally inserted one finger. The blond gasped at the intrusion and clamped down on the finger. It didn’t hurt, but it was strange. The jester patted the healer’s stomach in what seemed to be a soothing motion.
“You need to relax my little lamb, I don’t want to hurt you.” He tried to relax, but it was hard, it was like a part of him was trying to reject what was happening. He didn’t understand why, he’d never said ‘no’ so there was no reason for his body to be reacting this way. He took a few deep breaths and tried his best to forcibly relax. After a few moments it seemed to do the trick.
“Good boy,” Shadow Milk purred and the blond couldn’t stop the blush on his face at the praise. It didn’t go unnoticed by the other. “Oh, ho, you like to be praised? Did the denizens of your kingdom not worship you enough? Their beautiful, saintly king.” He tutted. “Don’t worry, I’m willing to pick up the slack, besides, my voice is the only thing that matters anyway.” Pure Vanilla couldn’t deny that. As he was talking, the blue cookie had inserted another finger. Now they were both scissoring inside him. Stretching him further. Shadow Milk continued to whisper praises as he did, as well as leaving worshipping kisses all along the blond’s body. Marking his sun kissed dough like an artist. The sensations were overwhelming. Despite having already come, he could feel himself harden again. All of a sudden his small panting whimpers and gasps turned into a loud moan. He wasn’t sure what Shadow Milk had done, but it was the most intense pleasure Pure Vanilla had ever felt.
“Ah so there it is,” he could feel the smirk in the jester’s voice. Shadow Milk began to pommel that spot with near perfect accuracy. It left Pure Vanilla as a trembling and moaning mess. When the fingers slipped out, he whined. He felt so empty without the fingers.
“Please, don’t stop, feels so good.” The blond’s words were slurred. He felt something hot and thick at his entrance.
“Oh don’t worry my little puppet, we’re only just beginning and trust me, you’re going to like this a lot more than my fingers. Shadow Milk slowly pushed in and Pure Vanilla moaned. He was right, this was so much better than the fingers. The healer had never felt so full in his entire life. It was wonderful. In his dazed state he wasn’t afraid to admit that he could get used to this. When Shadow Milk bottomed out with a satisfied grunt Pure Vanilla knew nothing would be the same after this. Something had been irreparably changed, two puzzle pieces finally coming together.
“I’m going to start moving now, little lamb.” He didn’t wait for a reply. Contrary to what he had said earlier, the blue cookie’s pace wasn’t soft or gentle. It was punishing, and Pure Vanilla loved it. Moaning with abandon.
“Harder… Shadow Milk please, I-I need it.” He wasn’t aware of what he was saying. Everything just felt so good so right. It seemed Shadow Milk felt the same. He heard dark laughter.
“Such a pretty little whore for me. Look at you, it’s like you were made for me. Made to take my cock. You love it don’t you? Say it, say how much you love it. Say you’re made for me!” Shadow Milk grasped at Pure Vanilla’s neglected cock. Pumping it harshly, it bordered on painful, but that just added to the blond’s arousal.
“Yes, yes I love it! I’m yours, I was born for this, it feels so good, please Witches, don’t stop, please don’t stop!” He wasn’t sure why he was saying these things, but they felt right. They seemed to make Shadow Milk happy and that’s all that mattered to him right now. Shadow Milk kept up his pace and, for the second time that night, Pure Vanilla came all over his stomach.
“That’s right you’re mine and you’ll always be mine. No one will ever touch you like this. No one will ever make you feel good like this! You belong to me!” His thrusts stuttered and Pure Vanilla felt Shadow Milk come inside him. It felt good, he wanted to feel it again and again. When the blue cookie pulled out he whimpered. His ass was sore from the harsh thrusts. Pure Vanilla could feel the cum leaking out of his puffy hole. Shadow Milk put a finger near his entrance and pushed the cum back in, causing the blond to moan.
“You look so beautiful like this. Fucked out, covered in sweat, filled with my seed. I don’t think I’ll ever tire of such a sight.” He kissed Pure Vanilla’s forehead. “You did so well for me, my perfect toy.” The healer smiled sleepily at the praise. He was glad.
After they had both been cleaned up, Pure Vanilla found himself curled up next to Shadow Milk, his head resting on the jester’s torso.
“Shadow Milk…” Pure Vanilla’s voice was sleepy. He sighed as he felt the jester begin to run his fingers through his blond hair.
“Yes, my precious little lamb?”
“I’ve been wondering about this for a while… Why do you have a Soul Jam?”
Notes:
You all wanted to know what memory Shadow Milk took... tell me was it what you were expected?
Also we have art! Courtesy of the amazing @KushiKura here on Ao3! It is amazing and I've added it to Act:1 Scene 1, so please go check it out and tell them how amazing they are! I'm still feeling super giddy at the fact someone made art about something I made! Thank you all for continuing to support me and my wildly changing update schedule. It means the absolute world to me and I love you all <3
Chapter 7: Lost Little Lambs
Chapter Text
It wasn't often the Storyteller headed into the village, mostly wanting to keep to himself, but unfortunately he had no choice on this occasion. He had entirely run out of provisions. Normally the Storyteller would ask one of the children if they would run down to the village centre and procure what he needed however, due to all the strange happenings around, it wasn't until last night that he had realised he had run out. It wasn't that he didn't enjoy seeing other cookies, he just felt more comfortable alone. If it wasn't for the children finding out about his stories he probably would be content with never seeing another cookie again.
As he approached the village he realised that everything seemed more frenzied than normal. It concerned the Storyteller. He had thought that the unpleasant business of the pale ailment had finally rectified itself. What had everyone so riled up this time? From the looks of things people appeared to be… searching? Well that was new. He walked over to one of the women nearby, one he recognised as Black Raisin.
"Good morning Black Raisin, tell me, what has everyone so worked up?" The hunter looked up in a brief acknowledgement.
"Oh, Storyteller, I wasn't expecting to see you. Cotton has lost her cream sheep. Someone unlatched the pens last night. We're all trying to help her out by looking for them." The Storyteller's eyes widened. That wasn't good at all. His heart hurt at the idea of one of those defenceless little ones came to any harm. Not to mention how important they were for to the other villagers and their products.
"I'll join you then." Black Raisin gave a distracted nod.
"Thank you, the more people searching the better."
The Storyteller headed straight to the edge of the village. It was unlikely any of the sheep would still be in the village if the pens had been opened for a long period of time. They were probably wandering through the forests by now. As he strolled through the woods he heard the sounds of childish laughter. He rushed towards the sound. There should be no children out here! It was far too dangerous. Sure enough he found the children of the village all in a clearing. He also noticed they had found the sheep as well. That was such a relief. It seemed none of them looked like any harm had come to them. The Storyteller looked on at what the children were laughing at. It seemed Gingerbrave was trying to herd the sheep with very little success. Every time he ran towards them, the cream sheep would run in the other direction. It was a miracle that they hadn't run out of the clearing. The Storyteller found it just as amusing as the others, but he needed to step in. While no Wild Spices had heard them so far, that didn't mean they weren't out here and a danger to them all. He stepped out of the trees.
"You're scaring them. You'll never get them back to the village if you keep this up." They all looked over when they heard his voice and perked up and rushed to his side.
"Storyteller! What are you doing here? I don't think I've ever seen you this far away from the village before." Hollyberry asked.
"I heard from Black Raisin that Cotton had lost her cream sheep and came out to look for them, just like everyone else. I didn't realise I'd run into you all here as well." His tone turned scolding. "You should be careful, it isn't safe out here. You should head back." All of them looked apologetic except for Gingerbrave.
"If there was something out here, I'd be able to protect everyone!" His bravado quickly turned into bashfulness. "But… We also couldn't leave without Cotton's cream sheep, but we don't know how to get them back! It's a lot harder than it looks." The Storyteller couldn't help but laugh.
"It's alright, I can teach you." Wizard looked at him sceptically.
"You know how to herd cream sheep?"
"Of course, and I know far more than how to just herd them. I know how to prepare them for shearing, how to skirt the fleece to prepare it for sale, and even how to identify the micron of a cotton candy sheep's wool." Storyteller clapped his hands.
"Now normally it would easier if we had shepherd's crook, or some domesticated cake hounds, but we'll have to make do without either. When I whistle, keep in your positions and slowly walk in the direction of the village. I'll tell you what to do if they try to break past you." He then instructed where each child should stand to ensure they kept the sheep contained. All of them forming a kind of pen with their own bodies. As they did that the Storyteller got into his own position as the person who would direct the sheep. With a sharp whistle they began their trek back to the village.
"While we head back, would you like to hear more of the story?" A resounding chorus of 'yes' made the Storyteller laugh.
"Alright then, let's continue."
After the vengeful God of Deceit's punishment, King Pure Vanilla fell into a spiral of guilt and despair. His foolish naivete had cost him his kingdom, his people. It was an unbearable weight to carry. He had no idea if his people were even still alive. He wasn't sure if he wanted them to be or not. Pure Vanilla couldn't bear the thought of his people being used as slaves to the god. He didn't want to think about what might have happened. He didn't want to be the king with no kingdom. He silently prayed to forget. To become someone ordinary. Unburdened and free.
Someone listened to his prayer.
In the morning King Pure Vanilla awoke with no memories of who he was. Simply an old, blind, man who had awoken in the middle of the remains of the Vanilla Kingdom. The only thing he remembered was his staff. A curious object that allowed him to see clearly. As he walked around the desolate streets, the man tried to find anything that would help him remember who he was. As he came to the plaza he found a tall statue of a man. They must have been important. When he looked at the statue, there was no recognition, but he did realise something strange. As the man looked as his reflection in a desolate store window, he looked almost identical to the man in the statue, right down to the same staff, but that couldn't be right. He would surely remember being so important, wouldn't he? Not wanting to risk someone confusing him with the man in the statue, the amnesiac covered his eyes and the top of his staff. It left him completely blind, but it was better than the alternative.
A group of scavengers from the village below found him, scruffy and half starved. Having ascended to the kingdom in the sky, they had come for aid, only to discover everyone missing.
"What happened here?" One of the scavengers asked. The former king looked at them in confusion.
"I don't know… I lost my memory, when I woke up, there was no one else here." The scavengers took pity on the blind man and brought him down to their village. It was a peaceful life, exactly like Pure Vanilla had wished for.
One summer day one of the villagers injured themselves. There were no medical supplies left, no traders had come through in weeks to replenish them. Without thinking the former king ran to the villager's side and healed his wounds. The man looking fresh and crispy. From that day forward. the blind man was given a new name. Healer Cookie. The name filled him with an unexpected sense of warmth. It was like a flicker of something from a long time ago, but when he tried to figure it out, the feeling slipped away. The healer decided it wasn't important. What was important was he now had something he could use to help the villagers would had saved him in his time of need.
"Why did the king want to forget who he was? He should have faced the consequences of his actions!" The child, Gingerbrave, said.
"Yes! He should have paid for his crimes, losing his memory was too good for him." Golden Cheese added on. The Storyteller smiled at the children, they were almost back in the village now, so far nothing had happened. A small blessing with all of the Wild Spices hanging around.
"Perhaps you're right, it was a weakness in him that he didn't want to face up to what he had done. Grief does strange things to a cookie." The Storyteller's voice was soft, almost wistful. "But you're right, losing his memory shouldn't wash away the sins of what he had done."
When they finally made it back to the village, Cotton was waiting for them. She looked relieved at seeing, not just the children, but her entire flock of cream sheep as well.
"We're back Cotton! And we found all of your sheep!" Gingerbrave shouted, quite proud of himself and all the others. She beamed at them all.
"Oh thank the Witches you're all right!" She looked apologetic. "I'm so sorry, if I had known they'd left the village entirely, I'd have never asked you to go and fetch them!" Cotton turned to the Storyteller.
"And thank you for looking after the little ones, who knew there was another shepherd in the village!" The Storyteller smiled.
"It was no trouble, thankfully everything turned out fine." He then addressed the children.
"It's getting late, you all should return home, I'm sure your parents and Earl Grey must be worried about you all. I'll help Cotton bring her sheep back safely to their pens." All of the children groaned.
"But it's not that late… besides, we really want to help." White Lily replied, her voice soft. Strawberry nodded along with her. The Storyteller patted the young cookie on the head.
"I know you do, but technically you sneaked out of the village to help. I think going home early will make your parents less upset with you all." That made all the children look down in shame.
"I suppose your right." Dark Cacao spoke up. Always one of the more rational and grounded of the group.
"Come on! Let's get going! We can rehearse our stories on why we decided to head out!" Hollyberry spoke with a laugh, the others followed suit. Cotton and the Storyteller watched them all go before continuing to herd the cream sheep who'd started to roam.
"It's so nice to see they're still so full of life, even in such terrible circumstances." The Storyteller nodded at her words.
"Yes, it's good to see them in such high spirits." The pair were silent for a while until Cotton spoke up again.
"I didn't want to say this in front of the children but…" There was a pause, like Cotton wasn't sure if she should speak up or not. "It felt like there was a strange energy around my paddocks when I found them open this morning. Like there was some sort of malevolent energy." There was an uncertain look on the other cookie's face.
"I swear I saw flashes of blue." That made the Storyteller pause. A flash of blue…
"You don't think…"
"That the Master of Deceit is behind this? I don't know… but there's been strange things happening in this village. I just don't understand why. There'd be no reason one of our overlords would be interested in our little community. Especially not him." The Storyteller's chest tightened at her words.
"We shouldn't jump to conclusions, perhaps it was someone just playing a prank." Cotton hummed, but didn't say anything else.
On his way home, the Storyteller was stopped by Financier. It was strange to see her by herself.
"Good evening, Financier, where's Clotted Cream?" The woman's stern expression didn't change.
"I don't know how, but I know you're responsible for what's been happening." The Storyteller gave her a serene smile.
"I don't know what you're talking about." He could feel his heart speed up at her words.
"Don't insult me. These problems only started after you showed up here. I may not have any proof yet but, I want you to know, I'm on to you."
"Many people have arrived in this town after me, why are you so convinced this is my doing?" She glared at him.
"That may be true, but they're not as suspicious as you are. You live alone, you rarely come down from your home, and you seem to always have a strange knowledge about things from long ago. The other cookies think you're just telling stories, but I don't believe that for a second. It feels too much like a first hand account."
"One day, you are going to slip up, and the rest of the village will see it too. On that day, I look forward to seeing you punished. I won't let you destroy our home." On that threatening note Financier walked off. The Storyteller could feel his heart beating out of his chest. With her words fresh in his mind, he rushed home. Perhaps it would be best if he didn't leave again any time soon.
Notes:
So I actually do have a lot of random sheep knowledge because, and I am dating myself here, when I was in my early twenties I spent a couple of years on a super fine merino wool farm, so if you ever need information about wool sales, farming minutiae or other sheep related information feel free to message me about any of it!
Also I keep forgetting to tell people I have a Tumblr, so feel free to send me anything there! adrijaruzic
Chapter Text
When Shadow Milk hadn’t responded for a while, Pure Vanilla started to get worried. Perhaps it was a sensitive topic? When he looked up to try and see the jester’s reaction it wasn’t what he was expecting at all. The blue cookie seemed to be… holding in laughter?
“Let me ask you this instead, tell me, my precious doll, what am I?” The question didn’t make any sense.
“You’re a cookie…?” While he was sure that wasn’t the right answer, he didn’t know what Shadow Milk wanted from him. That actually caused the jester to fall into a fit of giggles.
“Just a cookie?” As the other tried to contain himself Pure Vanilla had an unsettling feeling creep up on him. It felt like he was missing something, but he couldn’t figure out what it was. After a few breaths it seems Shadow Milk had finally calmed down from his giggling fit.
“Okay, okay, how about this, why can I read your silly little mind?” The blond tried to think of the reason, but to his dawning horror, nothing was coming to him.
“I-I don’t know…” He eventually stuttered out. By the Witches, what was happening to him? That seemed like something he absolutely should remember. Shadow Milk laughed again, mocking and cruel. Pure Vanilla tried to twist away from Shadow Milk, but the jester pulled him tighter into his chest.
“How about I give you a hand, my darling other half.” With his other hand the blue cookie flicked the star on the blond’s forehead. Suddenly a rush of memories came back to him. He remembered the original bet, and it was suddenly clear what memory Shadow Milk had taken. He had taken his memories of the Beasts. Everything about who and what they were. Horribly unfair, he had only bargained for one memory, but then why did he ever expect the other to play fair? That wasn’t the most unforgivable thing the beast had taken from him though. Now that he could remember it all, those fainting spells weren’t fainting spells at all. He’d been stealing more of his memories and playing it off. The worst part was the insidious nature of what he stole. He didn’t take full memories, Pure Vanilla had hoped he’d have at least noticed if he’d done that, no, he’d taken little things. The way Hollyberry’s whole face would light up when she laughed. The way sunlight would glitter off Golden Cheese’s wings. The bitter taste of the cacao nibs Dark Cacao used for rations. The sweet smell of white lilies. The cruellest of all, the last things the children ever spoke. Little things in memories one might not notice, but they’re what make them so precious. There were only three words he had left to say to the beast. Something he never thought he’d say to anyone.
“I hate you.” The words were soft, but he’d never believed anything more fervently in his life.
“Aww, don’t be like that Nilly! I gave them back, didn’t I? Besides, you didn’t even notice they were gone!” That feral smile appeared on Shadow Milk’s face again and his voice lowered. “Can you really say they were important to you if you didn’t even know they were missing?” With all the strength he could muster, Pure Vanilla pushed the jester away from him. This was a level of rage the blond didn’t even think he was capable of. The fury burning through his jam. Even Shadow Milk seemed shocked at the display, floating next to the bed. The healer took vicious pleasure in managing to silence the beast for once. Unfortunately he shook it off far too quickly for the blond’s liking. The jester had the audacity to look impressed.
“Wow, ‘Nills, who knew you had that in you! All that rage. What would your subjects think of their saintly king being so so so volatile. I have to say, I like this version of you even better! Oh, you’re so much more interesting when you show your true colours!” Pure Vanilla glared at him while pulling the sheets over his nakedness. Hating the way Shadow Milk was looking at him. It made him feel dirty, cheap, and used. He could feel bile trying to creep its way up his throat. He swallowed it down. He wouldn’t let the beast have the satisfaction of watching him unravel further than he already had.
“I have one question for you, and then I never want to see your face again.” He couldn’t look at the jester. It would only snap the remainder of his tenuous sanity. “Why…” His voice broke as he balled his fist into the silken sheets. “Why did you wait until now to sleep with me? That day I first kissed you, you had me bound, had me at your complete mercy. You could have taken me then and there and I never would have known that… that you’d… ” raped me. He couldn’t speak the words aloud.
“You really want to know the truth?” The jester let out an unhinged little laugh. “Do you really think your fragile little mind can handle the answer?”
“Just tell me!” The hysteria was starting to get to him.
“Alrighty, since you’re so desperate to know the answer, I’ll tell you. I needed your consent. Nothing more, nothing less.” Pure Vanilla scoffed. What a ridiculous answer.
“Don’t lie to me!” He couldn’t take it, not right now.
“I assure you, it’s the truth.” The blond finally found the courage to look up. It was clear from the smug look on the other’s face that there was something he was leaving out. Fine, he would play along a little longer.
“Why did you need my consent?” This time the laughter came louder and longer, that didn’t bode well.
“Oh it’s simple my silly Vanilly! You see, for me, sex means nothing. Don’t get me wrong, I had fun…” His eyes roaming over Pure Vanilla made him hold the sheet closer to him. “But at the end of the day, there’s no feelings attached.”
“To someone like you though, as pure and sweet as your name, sex is the ultimate form of vulnerability. To bear yourself in front of another, to be seen and to be loved. Oh you’re right, I could have raped you. I could have had you begging for me to stop, erased your memories and continued over and over again, but where would the fun in that be?” Shadow Milk flew in front of the blond and cupped his hands on the healer’s face.
“Oh no, no, I wanted your first time to be consensual, because now you can’t play the victim. You’ll have to spend the rest of your very, very long eternal life knowing that you willingly gave your virginity to a beast, to me.” Pure Vanilla flinched away from the contact, moving to the furthest corner of the bed away from the jester.
“You’re a monster.” His voice was hollow.
“Aww, no need for the flattery ‘Nills! Now that you’ve asked your question to me, it’s time for me to ask you one in return.” He didn’t wait for the blond to agree or refuse.
“Tell me, my beautiful broken doll, would you have preferred it if I had lied to you just now? Was the truth really worth it?” Pure Vanilla fumbled around for something, anything, he managed to grab hold of something on the side table and threw it in the direction of the beast. From the shattering sound he guessed it was a vase.
“Get out!” The blond let a small sob escape against his will. “I never want you to touch me again! I never even want to see you again!” There was a sinister laugh.
“Well at least one of those things can be arranged. I’ll see you later, Dollface.” The healer heard the distinct sound of a portal opening and closing.
The second he was sure the beast was gone, Pure Vanilla shakily got to his feet to try and find his staff. Fumbling around with his limited vision he let out a harsh cry. The damned glass shards. He must have stepped on some. It was fine. The pain was grounding, reminding him that this is how he’s supposed to feel at Shadow Milk’s mercy. How dare he feel anything positive for that monster. Finally the blond managed to find his staff, now that he could see clearly, he limped away from the glass and towards the armchair. Seeing the plush of the beast sitting there, so deceptively innocent looking, filled him with an intense rage. He picked up the doll and threw it as far away from him as he could. As soon as he sat down, he inspected the sole of his foot. Sure enough there were a few shards embedded into it. With delicate hands Pure Vanilla pulled each jam stained one out. Wincing in pain. Once they were all removed the blond allowed his healing light to wash over him. He watched dispassionately as the wounds on his foot closed. He could also feel the bruises and bites from the beast’s ministrations vanish as well. He should have felt relief, but instead he just felt numb. How did he manage to get to this point? How utterly foolish, pathetic. Letting himself be manipulated so easily. He didn’t even have it in him to cry. Perhaps that was another thing taken from him without his knowledge. Even as his eyes grew heavy, Pure Vanilla didn’t bother moving. He refused to get back into that bed. Still naked, he curled in on himself on the chair. Let him catch a cold, get sick, maybe his corrupted Soul Jam would end up failing him and an illness would kill him. At this point he didn’t care. Nothing mattered. His last thought before drifting off was if anything ever did.
When Pure Vanilla woke up he was disgusted to realise that he had been moved back onto the bed, and if that wasn't bad enough, it didn't appear that the sheets had been changed. The blond jumped off the bed as if it was on fire. The second thing he noticed was his staff leaning against the side table. At least that was one decent thing the jester had done. The final thing he noticed, now that he could see better, was the infuriating plush was back on the armchair as if nothing had happened to it. Feeling petty Pure Vanilla grabbed the plush and walked over to the balcony. He opened the door and stepped into the chilly air. Not caring about his own nakedness. Without another glance at the toy in his hands he threw it off the balcony. As he watch the toy's descent, the blond couldn't help but wonder if this is what he looked like when Shadow Milk had pushed him off the top of the Spire. He could almost feel the phantom sensation of the air rushing around him as he hurtled to the ground. Had the beast also felt nothing watching him fall? Probably not. The blue cookie probably enjoyed it. Not wanting to waste any more time, the ancient headed back into the room to get dressed. There was something he had to do.
Pure Vanilla walked through the Spire with purpose. There was only one thing on his mind. He had to see just how deep the illusions, lies and manipulations went. Thankfully the Spire was fairly charitable to the blond today and it barely took him any time at all to reach his destination. That probably wasn't a good sign. Sure enough he was back in front of an achingly familiar door.
Prop Storage
He placed his hand on the doorknob and paused. A frustrating voice in the back of his head that sounded like a certain blue cookie rang out.
"Do you think you can really handle the truth?" With a deep breath, Pure Vanilla nodded to himself. No matter what was behind the door, he would always believe that the truth was paramount. Before the door had even finished opening, he had his answer. The healer dropped to his knees. While a part of him knew this was coming, he so desperately wanted to be wrong about Shadow Milk for once in his life. In an unlit room, the very first thing one could see where the children. Covered in dust and slumped against a crate, hair and clothing matted. Pure Vanilla didn't have it in him to cry. No, instead, he did something he never would have expected. He laughed. Long and hard, until his breathing was ragged and voice hoarse. What a fool he'd been. Of course that blue bastard hadn't been kind to the children's bodies. The ancient had no idea why he'd thought otherwise. No, that wasn't true, he knew exactly why he had. Despite all the proof to the contrary his naive heart was convinced that maybe, just maybe, there was something worth saving left in the former Virtue. That his tricks, lies and manipulation was all a front to protect a lonely, broken, soul. A soul willing to do anything in his power to have someone stay by his side, but with no idea how to do it in a heathy way. When his laughter finally subsided, he crawled into the storage room until he was right in front of the trio. As carefully as he had when they'd just be turned, Pure Vanilla hugged them all. Placing a kiss on the forehead of each child. Witches they were still so warm, even after all this time.
"I'm so sorry little ones…" It seems he did still have some tears to cry after all. "I couldn't protect you, couldn't protect anyone." His voice ended in a whisper. While there was nothing he could do about their current situation, he could at least make sure they were somewhere less dreary, somewhere they could at least see the sun.
One by one Pure Vanilla meticulously wiped away the grime and dust off each of the children. Brushed their hair, straightened their clothes and carried them to a new room. The blond found a beautiful room with a king sized bed and a grand Palladian window that took up nearly an entire wall. It was exactly the kind of place the children deserved to sleep. The blond tucked each child in with care. Before he left, he placed another kiss on each of their foreheads.
"I'll be back again to visit, I promise." Pure Vanilla closed the door gently, as if the occupants really were just sleeping. He had no idea if Shadow Milk would be merciful enough to keep the children there for the blond's benefit, but at the very least they would be comfortable for the time being. Seeing the true state of the children had solidified something in the ancient's mind. He had to find a way out of here, for him and them. There was no salvation waiting for Shadow Milk, and there was only pain awaiting Pure Vanilla if he stayed. He started to formulate a plan. The first thing on the agenda was to escape from the Spire. Then, he would find White Lily, hopefully she'd had better luck with her own beast. The pair would return to the Faerie Kingdom, scour the library again, and hopefully at the very least find a way to cure the children. It wasn't the best of plans, but at least it was better than what he'd been doing before.
"You're deluding yourself." Pure Vanilla gritted his teeth at the voice, he turned and saw 'Truthless Recluse' in the reflection of a painting. The image continued.
"I thought you had finally realised that resisting would only cause you pain."
"What will it take to finally get rid of you?" Pure Vanilla's patience was hanging by a thread and this shade wasn't helping.
"I am the doubt in your heart. I am everything you refuse to admit. I am the part of you that has realised that submission is the easiest option, because I am the part of you that has fully embraced futility. You came so close to reali-"
"Shut up!" Pure Vanilla yelled. In an unconscious blast of magic all the glass around him shattered. The fragile thread had finally snapped. The blond fell to his knees, clutching at his hair, and screamed. He poured every ounce of pain, anger and humiliation into it. Pure Vanilla could feel the Spire shake around him. As if it was reacting to his outburst, but that couldn't be right, it only ever responded to Shadow Milk.
"Well, well, well, I leave for a few hours and it looks like I missed all the excitement." Shadow Milk tisked. "You really should have called for me. Seeing you fall apart with my own eyes, oh, it would have been the highlight of my day, my year even!" Pure Vanilla stayed on the ground. Trying his best to calm his tempestuous emotions. It wasn't working. It seemed the beast was content with hearing his own voice.
"My, my! Look at all this glass, wow, you really did a number on this hallway. You even made the Spire shake! An impressive feat, I must say." Completely oblivious to whatever inane rambling the the blue cookie was spouting, the blond unsteadily rose to his feet.
"For once in your miserable existence, would you stop talking!" It seems that did the trick. The jester was stunned into silence. Pure Vanilla turned around. A level of hatred and anger he'd never felt before surging through his dough. He took a great deal of pleasure in seeing the jester's shocked expression.
"All this time, I have tried my best to find something, anything, about you that would prove that you didn't deserve the punishment you were given. Proof that underneath all your sadistic and manipulative tendencies that there was something left to save." The blond let out a harsh laugh as he slowly walked closer to the beast.
"I was wrong, I was naive, there is nothing left of you to save. You are as monstrous as Elder Faerie described. No matter how lonely you might be, it doesn't excuse the cruelty you've inflicted on other cookies, on me." Shadow Milk tried to interject but Pure Vanilla slammed his staff into the ground. The Spire shaking once again at the display of raw power. It was a stark reminder to the beast in front of him that the ancient was more than a simple healer. That he was one of the most powerful mages on Earthbread. He stopped his advance when he was almost nose to nose with the beast.
"I will never forgive you for what you've done. I will never stop fighting you. I don't care how long it takes. It's as you say, I have a very long life. One day, it might be tomorrow, it might be centuries from now, but one day, I will figure out a way to escape you. I will find a way to stop you. Find a way to seal you again, and this time, I'll make sure you never see the light of day." His threat had the opposite effect he was expecting. As he spoke the grin on Shadow Milk's face only grew wider.
"You are truly the most magnificent creature I've ever seen. It's no wonder you were chosen as my other half. Those cursed Witches most perfect creation, aside from moi, that is." Pure Vanilla's glare didn't soften. Abruptly Shadow Milk floated from in front of him to behind to whisper in his ear.
"Tell me, my most beautiful puppet, have you ever heard the term 'terminal lucidity'?" That stopped the blond in his tracks. Of course he had heard of it before, he was a healer. It was common knowledge in their circles. When a cookie was close to crumbling, sometimes they'd regain lucidity or act as if they were freshly baked. It always hurt Pure Vanilla's soul seeing the cookie's loved ones assume that the, soon to be crumbled, cookie was back to their old selves again. The healer never had the heart to tell them the ugly truth they'd discover mere hours or days later. They would never recover. The internal admittance to yet another lie he'd told, another truth obscured, left his stomach in knots.
"What does that have to do with anything?" Pure Vanilla cursed the defensiveness in his tone. Shadow Milk laughed, A deep and dark sound, that made the blond shiver where he stood.
"Oh it has everything to do with this. You see, that's what you're experiencing right now." There was still a trace of manic laughter in his voice. The ancient stepped away, regaining his personal space and sent another glare the way of the beast.
"What kind of nonsense are you spouting now? I'm not crumbling." The jester twisted his head at the odd angle he loved so much.
"I'm not talking about your body…" He spoke slowly as if he was talking to a child. It made Pure Vanilla's eye twitch. "It's your spirit. Oh you'll rant and rave and claim you'll 'never stop trying to escape', an adorable little declaration by the way, but I can see that your will is nothing more than smouldering embers. You might last a few weeks, who knows you might even surprise me and survive a few decades, but you will eventually submit. You'll give into who you were always meant to be."
"You're wrong," the words sounded like a lie even as Pure Vanilla spoke them. That earned him another laugh.
"Keep on lying to yourself! Oh it's the best entertainment I've had in centuries!" With those words still ringing in his ears, the ancient stormed off. He hated how much they got under his skin. He would find a way to prove Shadow Milk, and himself, wrong.
After the confrontation with Shadow Milk, Pure Vanilla had made no moves to try an escape. It was for good reason. While his original plan to deceive the beast had failed, he hoped for a different outcome this time. He wanted Shadow Milk to think he had given up. That the jester had been right about everything. It was a lot harder than he had expected. The biggest hurdle being the fact the blue bastard could still read his thoughts. While he'd still made no headway with mental wards, he had found his own solution. If he emptied his mind and entered into a meditative state, there was nothing left to read. If Shadow Milk's thinly veiled irritation as of late was anything to go by, then it was working. There was something else about the jester that the ancient had realised as well. Ever since the beast had returned all of Pure Vanilla's memories, and the blond had his outburst, the blue cookie hadn't touched the healer. It was strange, not that the blond was complaining, but the sudden lack of contact was hard to get used to. He knew that Shadow Milk was very… tactile for lack of a better word, but it hadn't occurred to Pure Vanilla just how much until he stopped. Casual touches, leaning on him, the countless hugs and possessive holds. All gone. That didn't mean he wasn't still bothering the blond, oh no, he was still very much in Pure Vanilla's personal space, but there was a distinct lack of contact. The healer would rather crumble than admit he had grown to mourn its loss. None of that would matter, because tonight was the night he would make his escape. Soon he would be with his friends, and they could work out a way to stop Shadow Milk and bring the children back from the cruel curse they were under.
Pure Vanilla stepped silently out of his room and into the hallway. It was dark, but that didn't necessarily mean anything. All time was distorted in the Spire. He'd once stepped into one room that was blessed by the noon-day sun and yet in the room right next door it was the middle of the night. It was disorienting. The blond couldn't even tell anyone how long he'd been trapped here. A month? Two? He shuddered to think it was any longer than that. The lack of time was the least of his problems. The main one being the Spire's constantly changing layout. Pure Vanilla had stopped trying to map the place out. If he ever had found the exit, it would have disappeared within the hour. Instead he had to be creative. While he hadn't been making direct escape attempts, didn't mean he wasn't making plans. The Spire, he'd found, tended to react to Dark Moon Magic. If he thought of a destination with a nudge of magic he seemed to instinctively know where to go. Like the Spire itself was leading him through its disorienting halls. Pure Vanilla had tested it on a few innocuous locations. The prop storage, the new room he'd given the children and the kitchens. It had only failed him once, when he tried to find Shadow Milk's personal quarters. It seemed the Spire itself had its limits on where it would allow Pure Vanilla to roam.
"Take me to the entrance of the Spire." The blond whispered. Just like all the times before, he felt an instinctive pull. Down winding hallways that seemed endless, spiral staircases that were steep enough to leave one dizzy. Even through a secret passage that required the ancient to step into a portrait. It was whimsical, it was frustrating. If it wasn't for his new trick Pure Vanilla was sure he'd have never found the way out.
Finally, after what had seemed like an eternity a very familiar foyer opened up to the blond. He could have almost sobbed in relief. It had felt like a lifetime ago when he stepped through those imposing doors. In a way it had been. He certainly wasn't the same cookie he had been back then. Far too relieved, Pure Vanilla failed to notice something he should have. Despite the supposed late hour, he hadn't run into anyone. Not a single rabbit, or other servant. The Spire wasn't what you'd call 'bustling', but it wasn't empty either. As time and space meant nothing here, there was always something out and about. Lies never slept, so why should the Spire's inhabitants? None of that was running through the blond's mind as he hurried to across the foyer and towards the doors. The second his hand touched one of the handles, the ancient couldn't help his elated smile. He had done it! He'd found his way back. Pure Vanilla opened the door, but the moment he tried to step out he fell to the ground in pain. A sharp, cruel, shock came from the collar around his neck. The blond let out a frustrated scream. So close, and yet incapable of passing across the threshold to freedom.
Manic laughter bouncing off the walls marked Shadow Milk's appearance.
"Well, well, well, what do we have here? A naughty little cookie trying to escape my Spire?" Pure Vanilla didn't bother looking at the beast. Too busy staring at world just out of reach. The fresh air cruelly ghosting over his dough, taunting him.
"I must say, I'm impressed! Not as clever as your first ruse to try and betray my hospitality, but a good effort. It's a good thing I rigged that collar of yours. Otherwise who knows where you could have ended up! I can't have my precious pet leaving the property. It would make me look like a terrible owner!" Pure Vanilla couldn't stop the bitter laughter of his own as he stood up. Still looking outside.
"How did you know I was going to escape tonight?"
"Oh I didn't, not until you told me anyway." That caused the blond to turn around. He saw Shadow Milk floating high above the foyer's floor. He glared at the insufferable monster.
"Stop lying! I never said anything to you." He had even made sure his thoughts were locked up tight. The beast smirked.
"Oh, but you did. Well, your magic did anyway. You left me a cute little trail to follow! It was like you wanted to get caught!" Shadow Milk let out a theatrical gasp and rushed almost right into Pure Vanilla's dough. It caused the other to take a step back, only to cry out in pain and fall at the beast's feet as he hit the threshold once again.
"Oh dear, was that my fault? I'm so sorry! Let me help with that." With a snap of his fingers, blue threads wrapped around the blond's limbs and floated him into the centre of the foyer.
"I-I would never subject myself to this on purpose." Pure Vanilla panted out the words. The idea he'd intentionally get caught was laughable.
"Are you sure? Why would someone as smart as you, think that using magic in my Spire, wouldn't get my attention?"
"It was… It was the only way to navigate the halls…" Shadow Milk was silent for a moment before he burst out laughing, as if it was the funniest joke he'd ever heard in his entire life.
"Wait, wait, wait, you really thought that was how you could navigate the Spire?" The beast managed to get out through fits of maniacal laughter. Ashamed colour filled the blond's cheeks as Shadow Milk continued to laugh.
"Oh my silly, silly Vanilly, have you forgotten? We are one and the same. The Spire is just as much yours as it is mine. It listens to you. When you had that little temper tantrum and the Spire shook, what did you think caused it?"
"I wasn't exactly in the right mind to really think about it!" Shadow Milk's smile vanished and the serious expression that replaced it chilled Pure Vanilla to the core.
"While this has all been extremely amusing, betraying me twice has its consequences." The strings holding the ancient up disappeared, causing the blond to fall. He grunted in pain as he harshly hit the floor. When Pure Vanilla looked up, he saw Shadow Milk hovering close. The beast's hand shot out and the healer unconsciously flinched as if he was about to be struck. The strike never came, instead the jester grabbed Pure Vanilla's black staff. No, no, no, he couldn't possibly be doing what the ancient thought he was about to do.
"Know this all could have been avoided if you had just behaved." With a sickening crack the staff was snapped in two and Pure Vanilla's sight was reduced to nothing but blurs of colour. The blond whimpered, feeling the snap of the staff as if it were his own dough.
"Have fun trying to get back to you room, gnat."
Notes:
Does anyone else love how much clearly repressed rage Pure Vanilla has? It's so much fun to play around with!
Chapter 9: So Innocent and Pure
Notes:
I am not dead! but I did get the flu and it knocked me around something fierce, still not fully 100% so this chapter came out not as well as I would have liked.
(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)
Chapter Text
The past few days had been hell for the Storyteller. He had barricaded himself into his home, not allowing any visitors. Something that the children had discovered on the first day. They had rushed to his door like usual, but found the normally open door locked up tight. He couldn't see them right now. He couldn't see anyone. The Storyteller was too busy going over the strange things that seemed to be happening across the village. The plague hadn't concerned him, but it should have. It wasn't until the cream sheep pen had 'mysteriously' opened and that 'flash of blue', that left him in a panic. While the illness had sounded like the pale ailment once the afflicted cookies had healed he dismissed the thought. Mystic Flour would never let up her plague until everyone had turned to flour. So the Storyteller had just assumed it was a strange sickness that mimicked the symptoms. It was nothing. Something easy to explain away. The cream sheep going missing and the potential sighting of the Master of Deceit changed his opinion on the matter. What if it hadn't been an illness at all? What if it had been an illusion or some twisted magic at work. That didn't make sense either. There was nothing in this small village worth his attention. For some reason that thought caused a twisting sensation in his gut. There wasn't, was there?
Eventually the Storyteller had to leave his home. While the children hadn't returned after that first day, he was sure they'd be concerned. If he wasn't careful someone would eventually demand a wellness check on him and that was something he didn't want to risk. Mostly due to the other reason he hadn't wanted to leave the house, Financier. Her threat was still fresh in his mind. The Storyteller was sure the mayor's bodyguard would weaponize his seclusion to fit her narrative. He really couldn't have that. As he opened the door to his modest home he felt the bright light of the noonday sun on his dough. It was actually quite a nice day out. The perfect weather for a light stroll.
As he walked through the town the Storyteller noticed something uncomfortable. It seemed wherever he looked it seemed like there was always someone watching him. Perhaps he was being paranoid but it felt like the other cookies were silently judging him, or waiting for something. Like they wanted to see the dropping of a mask or an action to punish him for. The Storyteller also noticed that as he walked if he got too close to cookies having a conversation, it would die out the second he came near. The only thing he could think of was that Financier had been spreading rumours while he had locked himself away. That only put him more on edge. If Shadow Milk had truly taken an interest into this small village then the smallest of rumours would attract his attention.
His thoughts were proven right when he finally reached the town square and was accosted by two members of Financier and Clotted Cream's inner circle. Madeleine and Espresso.
"It's been a while since we've seen you out and about! We were all worried that something might have happened to you!" Madeleine was still as boisterous as ever. The words sounded sincere, but he couldn't trust them. No one close to Financier could be trusted.
"Yes, it has been quite a while. I hope nothing was wrong. After all, it would be against the public interest if you'd gotten sick and not informed anyone. Not with that strange ailment hitting us so recently." Espresso's tone was as haughty as ever. Now this is what the Storyteller was expecting of one of Financier's people. Shrewd and calculating. He smiled at the pair.
"Oh it was nothing like that, helping the children return Cotton's sheep took a lot out of me. I'm not a young cookie anymore, I don't have the same energy levels I once did." Madeleine seemed content with that answer, but it was clear Espresso wasn't convinced. The coffee scented cookie hummed.
"No, I suppose you're not. Perhaps it would be best for you to stay at home. We wouldn't want something to happen that would cause you to crumble. The children would be devastated if something was to happen to you." It seemed the cookie wasn't even going to attempt to be subtle. Then again, that was Espresso's style.
"Perhaps you're right, but I'll still do anything I can to help the village. This is all of our homes after all." The Storyteller replied. Before Espresso could open his mouth Madeleine's booming laugh filled the square.
"Of course! We will always welcome the help of everyone! Nothing is more important than unity in these unsettled times!" The conversation between the three of them was interrupted by the gaggle of children rushing towards them all.
"Storyteller! You're back, we were all so worried!" Golden Cheese shouted, bright as ever. "It's been so boring without your stories." Now that caught the Storyteller's attention.
"No you're just flattering me, I'm sure there was plenty of things for you to do without having to listen to me prattle on." Out of the corner of his eye he saw that while Madeleine seemed completely unbothered, Espresso looked pale. The childen shook their heads.
"After that first day when we couldn't come into your home, when we got home Miss Financier told us we needed to stay inside. That we could only leave for chores and lessons." Dark Cacao replied in his usual stoic voice.
"And-and we were told not to bother you again! She said you were sick of having to look after us and tell us stories, but we knew that couldn't be true." Hollyberry added. That revelation caused his paranoia to rise, but he couldn't allow it to show in front of the children. Just what had Financier been saying? From how Espresso looked there was probably more going on that they children weren't being told, this was probably the tip of the iceberg. A part of the Storyteller wished she would just vanish. It would make things so much easier. It would certainly help his paranoia. Pushing all of that down the Storyteller managed a smile.
"If you're only allowed out for chores and lessons then shouldn't you be hurrying home now? I wouldn't want any of you getting in trouble on my account." They all looked dejected at his words.
"I know we should but… Is it true? Do you really not want to tell us stories anymore?" White Lily asked.
"Of course not, I love telling you stories, but I don't want any of you getting in trouble."
"I'm sure one story won't hurt, right Espresso?" The Storyteller narrowly avoided startling at the sound of Madeleine's voice. He had almost forgotten the boisterous man was still here from his uncharacteristic silence. The children turned their hopefully expressions to Espresso, who looked about two seconds away from murdering his partner. The cookie rubbed the bridge of his nose under his glasses and sighed.
"Fine, I suppose one won't hurt, but you need to head straight home afterwards. Financier is not going to be happy." He muttered the last part under his breath, too quiet for the children to hear. Not that it would have been heard anyway from their loud cheers. The Storyteller went to sit at the lip of the fountain in the centre of the square as the children eagerly crowded around him. It seemed Madeleine and Espresso were staying as well. With two vastly different expressions. One of the same delight as the children and the other looking as if he regretted all of his life choices up until this point.
For countless years the amnesiac former king spent his time as Healer Cookie. Staying in the village and making sure that everyone was kept crispy and fresh under his ministrations. He was happy. There might not have been much, but everyone helped each other and they all found a way to get by. There peace was shattered one day when a group of young adventurers appeared in their small village. These adventurers, more like children in the healer's eyes, had come to see the fallen kingdom and solve the legend of the missing monarch.
"I'm afraid we can't let you go there." The village leader, had told the children. "It's been in ruins for so long. It's too dangerous, especially for a group as young as you all. Besides, there's nothing to find up there. If there was, we'd have found it a long time ago. The adventurers wouldn't be deterred.
"I'm sure we can find something! It's important we go up there!" The leader of the group was a strong and brave cookie.
"What could possibly be so important that you need to go somewhere so dangerous?" The leader countered. Her voice unwieldily.
"We heard that the the former King had made a deal with a the God of Knowledge. We need to find him, or at least the method he used to summon the god.. There's someone really dangerous that we have to stop, but we don't know how! That god might just have the answers we need."
"The King has been dead for a very long time, and even if he wasn't, a way to summon a god? I'm sorry but you're just chasing a myth. Like I said, there's nothing up there to find. Please, you should leave."
"I'm sorry…" came one of the girl's timid voice as she looked at their leader. "Maybe she's right, we should look somewhere else."
"Come on! We can't give up now! We have to find a way to summon the God. We appreciate your concern, but we're going! You can't stop us." For some reason the resolve of the children stirred something in the healer. Like a long lost memory but if he tried to dwell on it, the sensation would slip away.
"I will take them to the kingdom." The healer had spoken before he'd even had a chance to think. Perhaps if he returned to the kingdom with these adventurers then he might finally remember something. The children all looked thrilled but the village leader wasn't.
"Healer, it's far too dangerous up there, especially for someone blind. Do you not remember how hard it was for you to navigate the area? If we hadn't found you, who knows what might have happened." She tried to dissuade him. The leader of the adventurous cookies answered her in the healer's stead.
"Don't worry, we'll make sure to look after him!" While the leader still didn't look appeased she sighed in resignation.
"It seems there's nothing I can do to stop you. Just make sure you bring the healer back in one piece, without him, we'd had never survived. The adventurers gave their word and then off they went to the ruins of the Vanilla Kingdom. As they walked the adventurers introduced themselves as Gingerbrave, Strawberry and Wizard.
As they were searching through the wreckage the healer kept having strange feelings of familiarity alongside an inexplicable sense of sorrow and loss. The first was easy to explain. He had been found here after all, that meant he probably lived here. The second feeling was harder to explain. Sure, he must have lost something or someone, but it didn't account for how strong the feeling was. It was if he was mourning for the entire kingdom not just a single person or group.
The feeling intensified when they finally reached the castle to explore. The healer could feel himself start to hyperventilate. Something was very wrong here, but he still didn't know why. His companions noticed immediately.
"Are you alright? You look pale?" The mage in their group asked. The healer grasped at head.
"I-I don't know… something about this place makes me feel strange. Like something terrible has happened here."
"Huh, I mean that's possible, this kingdom did fall in a single day. Something really bad must have happened." The healer felt like that was an understatement. A large portrait stopped the healer, and the adventurers in their tracks.
"Whoa, that must be Pure Vanilla!" Gingerbrave exclaimed in awe.
"He looks so regal." Strawberry remarked in a quiet voice.
"I heard he was a master mage, I wish I could have met him. I'm sure he could have taught me a lot." Wizard added in. As the healer looked up at the portrait he felt an intense, surging feeling of hatred. The healer clutched at his head. Flashes of memories rushed into his head. Glimpses of a happy kingdom, his coronation, the first meeting with the supposed 'God of Knowledge', the loss of his citizens. The healer took a startled step back. He remembered everything. He was Pure Vanilla. The foolish king of this witches' forsaken kingdom. The one who lost everything and cowardly sealed away his own memories because he couldn't live with the guilt.
"Hey healer, are you alright, you look pale?" Gingerbrave asked. Instead of responding Pure Vanilla slowly unwrapped the bandages around his eyes. Once it was done he opened them. Showing the damning heterochromia that would prove his identity more than words ever could. Although he couldn't see the trio too clearly with his staff still bandaged the gasps of shock were enough to tell what they were thinking.
"This is… impossible… you should be dead." Wizard was the first to break out of the stunned silence. Pure Vanilla gave them a sad smile.
"Unfortunately not," the king replied.
"This is great! Now that you're here we don't need to continue searching! Tell us, did you meet the God of Knowledge, are the rumours true?" Gingerbrave was shooting questions at him faster than the fallen king could possibly answer them.
"Gingerbrave... you should take a breath, Pure Vanilla can't answer you if you don't give him the chance to." Wizard chastised Gingerbrave.
"Right, sorry..." Gingerbrave rubbed the back of his neck as he let out an embarrassed chuckle. Pure Vanilla took a deep breath before closing his eyes once again.
"The rumours are only half true. I did indeed meet with a God but he wasn't a God of Knowledge. He was the God of Deceit. I'm sorry children, but what you're looking for, you'll not find it here. There is no God of Knowledge, not anymore."
"Is he the reason the Vanilla Kingdom fell?" Wizard asked with no tact.
"Yes… I tried to fool Shadow Milk and he stole my subjects away as punishment for my foolish actions."
"Where are they now?" Strawberry asked.
"I don't know. The God of Deceit took them from me. They're probably in his realm." Probably treated better than I ever treated them, Pure Vanilla thought bitterly.
"Then we should get them back!" Pure Vanilla opened his eyes in shock at Gingerbrave's declaration.
"That's impossible… besides, aren't you looking for a way to stop someone? You shouldn't give up on your quest on account of my failure as a king."
"I don't think of it as giving up! Besides, if we help you, there will be more people who can help us fight!"
"Gingerbrave is right! And we might find something that can help us along the way." Wizard added on.
"That's right! So what do you say Pure Vanilla? Will you help us find your subjects?" Pure Vanilla smiled in what felt like the first time in a long time.
"Alright, let's go my friends." And with that, the quartet started their quest to find the domain of the God of Deceit, of Shadow Milk.
"It's about time that Pure Vanilla finally tries to right the wrongs he caused." Dark Cacao said with his usual resolution.
"I mean it's good he's finally trying now, but can you imagine how terrible it would be for his subjects? I wonder what will happen when they find out their king was so cowardly he repressed his memories all to avoid taking responsibility for his actions." White Lily mused quietly. For some reason her saying that made the Storyteller's heart ache.
"Yes, yes, it was an interesting story, but you all need to be heading home. You have been indulged enough." Espresso scolded. Each child looked thoroughly chastised and they said their goodbyes. Once they were gone Madeleine gave his partner an unimpressed look.
"Come now! There was no reason to be so abrupt! They're just children!"
"Yes, children that should have gone home long before now. We never should have indulged them."
"But they looked so happy!" The Storyteller watched in idle amusement as the pair bickered.
Finally remembering they had an audience Espresso coughed and turned his attention back to the Storyteller.
"Now that the children have left, we have a message from Financier. She doesn't want you near the children. As of now you are officially under suspicion as being the cause of all the problems befalling the village in the recent days." The Storyteller's eyes widened in shock, but he had done nothing wrong! As he thought that another strange sensation hit him. It felt as if his body was telling him he'd lied, but he hadn't! At least he didn't think he had. Before Espresso could say anymore another member of the guard rushed towards them. He was covered in wounds. Some small gashes, and other wounds deep enough that without treatment he could die.
"Madeleine, Espresso sirs! It's Financier!" The man was out of breath, panting each word.
"By the Witches, what's happened, friend?" Madeleine asked.
"She-she's dead!" At that moment the Storyteller's mind went blank. He… he had wished for this, and it had come true. Did he speak the words aloud? Was someone out to get him? Was it… No, surely not, there was no way the Master of Deceit could have done it. He wasn't known for violence. Espresso looked at the Storyteller with a hard expression.
"I believe we have the culprit right here." The other guard looked at Espresso as if he'd grown another caffeinated head.
"But sir, that's not possible."
"Oh and how's that?"
"Because I saw it. She was out on patrol, and we ran into a tribe of wild spices. We tried our best but we couldn't save her. I could barely get back in one piece." That didn't seem to deter Espresso from his thoughts.
"I'm sure he found a way to get the wild spices to attack. He's the only one with motive in the entire village." Espresso looked over and Madeleine. "With Financier gone, you're now the head of security for the mayor and the village. What do you intend to do?" Madeleine thought for a moment. As he did the Storyteller could feel himself starting to panic, no, no he couldn't be taken into custody. With everything that was happening in the village, he needed to leave. He couldn't risk staying. Seemingly making up his mind Madeleine grabbed the Storyteller's wrists.
"I'm sorry about this, but I'm placing you under arrest. Until we can sort everything out, this is what's best for the village."
Notes:
We're only two chapters away from the half way point! I'm so excited!!!
Chapter 10: Act 1: Scene 5
Notes:
Managed to get it out just in time! I'm aiming to get at least two chapters out a month! Also a massive shoutout to my beta reader without whom I never would have finished. I love you more than life itself <3
(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)
Chapter Text
Pure Vanilla looked down at the blurry remains of his staff. He gently picked up the pieces and, in what he knew was a futile effort, tried to put the two pieces together. As if his will alone could do such a feat. Pure Vanilla laughed miserably at his pathetic display and dropped the pieces. Discarded trash. He could relate to that. When he finally got up the energy to stand up, the foyer suddenly seemed so much more intimidating to the blind cookie. Pure Vanilla could vaguely make out where the staircase was, but it was all just a blur of swirling colours. The steps were one thing, but Shadow Milk's parting words ran through his mind. How on earthbread was he going to get back to his room like this? It wouldn't surprise the fallen hero that as an extra punishment the beast had changed the layout of the Spire again, and made sure that it wouldn't listen to the healer this time. That was a problem for later. At the moment Pure Vanilla focused on his first great obstacle. The grand staircase.
Things were already off to a bad start. Pure Vanilla hit the base of the stairs before he realised it, and fell face first into the marble. He was certain he could feel gleeful eyes on him. Enjoying the show. It didn't matter. The blond wouldn't let this setback rattle him. He had to prove to himself, and to Shadow Milk, that he could handle this. He'd been blind his entire life, and he never used to have a staff to aid him. His time as the Healer cookie had proven that. Sure, he had his trusty staff with him, but it was completely useless… Just like how it was now. Pure Vanilla shook his head. As much as he lamented the loss of his staff, he had to get over it. With a deep breath the blond held onto the railing with a death grip and took a hesitant step upward. He smiled in triumph when he made it onto the next step without faltered. He could do this.
It took him longer than he'd care to admit, but he'd made it past the first hurdle. The stairs had been conquered. Now came the hard part. He had no idea where he was going beyond this point. Pure Vanilla decided not to think too hard on it. Out of curiosity he tried his connection with the Spire. Unfortunately, as he expected, the Spire didn't aid him. So the healer picked a direction and hoped for the best. He prayed to the Witches that he would run into one of the Spire servants and could ask them for help. Just as he had hoped, he saw a small hopping blur heading towards him. Putting on one of his best smiles, Pure Vanilla looked towards the small creature.
"Excuse me, would you be able to help me to my room?" The ancient asked in his most polite voice. The hopping blur didn't even slow down. Pure Vanilla's heart stuttered in his chest, a sensation of dread washing over him. Did Shadow Milk even inform his servants not to help him? Pure Vanilla, hugging the wall, continued walking until he came across another servant. This time he thought from the silhouette that it was a rumour weaver.
"Please, would you be able to help me back to my room?" Once again, the servant completely ignored him. The sense of dread grew.
Over and over again, everyone he tried to speak to ignored him. From the chaos rabbits to Shadow Milk's deceitful courtiers. Each and every one of them acted like he didn't even exist. It was dehumanising, but he couldn't let it get to him. Pure Vanilla continued to slowly make his way through the winding and confusing hallways. Just relying on his own instinct. Hoping he might fluke his way back.
Pure Vanilla was so very tired. He couldn't tell how long he had been walking, but from how sore his feet were, it had to have been hours. He hadn't made any progress. He wasn't even sure he'd made it out of the original hallway he started in. One misplaced step led to the blind man to trip and fall. Pure Vanilla had no strength left to get back up. So he stayed where he was on the ground. Like the discarded and useless thing he was. The foot traffic in the hallway hadn't stopped. They simply moved around him, like a rock in a stream. The blond tried to stifle his tears of frustration. Shadow Milk had made him feel helpless on so many occasions since he'd been here, but never like this. In this moment the ancient truly felt ancient. The long centuries of his life finally catching up to him.
Pure Vanilla wasn't sure how long he stayed on the ground. Letting time wash over him in a meaningless haze. The rhythmic sound of people walking past put him in almost like a trance-like state. It was for this very reason that he didn't immediately notice that all the sounds of bustling servants had vanished. Just an oppressive presence looming over him. It didn't take a genius to know who it was.
"What do you want Shadow Milk?" Pure Vanilla asked, exhaustion clear in his voice. The blond didn't even bother to open his eyes. He really didn't need the blue bastard's mocking cruelty right now.
"Aww Nills unhappy to see me? Oh how cruel you are! And right when I came here to be so magnanimous and help you out! I really don't have to, especially after you've spat in the face of every kindness I've given you." The mock hurt in the jester's voice sent a wave of irritation through the healer's dough. How dare he act as if he was the victim. Pure Vanilla opened his eyes to glare at the blue blur he assumed was Shadow Milk. Knowing the other cookie it might not even be him. The anger helped give the blond the energy to stand again. Something the blue blob clearly wasn't expecting from the way it quickly recoiled. Almost like it didn't want to be touched. If he was in a better mood, Pure Vanilla would have honed in on that like a cakehound on a scent. Unfortunately, the only thing he could feel was the all encompassing anger he'd grown used to in his captivity.
"Kindness?" Pure Vanilla sneered before scoffing in disbelief. "What could you ever consider a kindness with what you've done to me? You turned my friends into soulless puppets, you stole my memories, you broke my staff! You…" His voice began to falter, not wanting to say the next words. "You manipulated me into giving away my virtue…" The vulnerability left abruptly with a sharp, malicious, laugh something Pure Vanilla didn't think he was capable of.
"But you would know all about tainted virtue, wouldn't you?" A sharp shock wracked the frail immortal's dough, forcing him back to the ground. Once he got his breath back, all the blond could do was laugh. "Did I strike a nerve, Fount?" Another shock was administered. Pure Vanilla supposed he deserved that one.
"For a gnat that should be grovelling at my feet, begging for my help, you're doing a good job at pissing me off."
"Your help? Ha, I'd rather wander these halls for the rest of my miserable eternity." If the ancient wasn't sure this was the real Shadow Milk, he was now. The blur was no longer cookie shaped. It looked more like someone had spilled blue ink on the walls. Pure Vanilla felt vicious pleasure at causing such a reaction. Sadly, it didn't last as much as he hoped it would. The healer had expected another shock, or for the beast to lash out physically. Instead he heard a few calming breaths and the blur slowly went back to its normal shape.
"While I would love to leave you to wander forever, unfortunately, you're a nuisance to my staff. I have a tight ship to run, lies and chaos to orchestrate, and I won't let your little tantrum interrupt them any further." The blur was suddenly extremely close to Pure Vanilla, and he took a step back on instinct. There was a small flash of fear. He had no idea what Shadow Milk would do to him anymore. All he could rely on was audio cues and, when he wanted to be, the beast could be silent as death. A true predator and he was now helpless prey. His breath hitched when something came close to his face, but instead was left confused when all he heard was a metallic click. Just what had the jester done? Pure Vanilla found out an instant later when a harsh tug forced him back to his feet. The force causing him to gasp. A flush of deep colour graced the ancient's cheeks when he realised what humiliating thing had been done to him.
"Did you put a leash on me?" The blond exclaimed as he stumbled to keep the pace with the blue bastard.
"I needed you out of the way. This wasn't the original plan. I was going to simply portal you back to your chambers, but if you're going to act like an unruly pet, then I will treat you as one." To add to his humiliation Pure Vanilla could hear the sounds of Shadow Milk's servants rushing around. The blond was almost relieved that he couldn't see any of them. He could lie to himself and say it was the jester messing with him. Yes, that's all it was. No one else was really here. It was just the two of them.
Pure Vanilla was relieved when they finally stopped. Praying to the Witches or anyone who would listen that Shadow Milk had done what he said and brought him to his chambers. Knowing the beast he could have taken him anywhere and he'd be none the wiser. As they crossed the threshold the jester pulled harshly on the leash, forcing Pure Vanilla to overbalance and fall onto his hands and knees. Causing the bastard to laugh at his misfortune. The fallen hero glared up at the blue blur.
"Was that truly necessary?" He asked as he unsteadily got to his feet.
"Of course it was." The words were spoken as if they were the most obvious fact on all of earthbread. "It's a reminder."
"Of what?" The blond didn't want to play these games anymore. All he wanted to do was sleep and pretend his latest humiliation was just a cruel nightmare.
"That I own you, silly." Pure Vanilla felt the leash uncouple from the collar and wasted no time in rushing further into the room. From the blurry shapes everything looked like his chambers. At least the blue bastard had done what he said he would.
"You'll never own me." His defiance was so much harder when he was just so tired.
"Oh, but I do. Besides you should be grateful that I do. Do you think anyone else would look after you the way I do? A weak, old, crippled, man. Who can't even do the most basic of tasks like say… walking to his own room?" Pure Vanilla wrapped his arms around himself and closed his eyes. He didn't want to listen to this anymore. It seemed Shadow Milk wasn't finished yet. He could feel the beast circling him.
"You're pathetic, but I like you this way. Helpless and reliant on me, but I don't want you like that forever. Not like this at least." Now that a curious statement. Pure Vanilla thought for sure that the jester would love to keep him like that.
"Why should I believe you?" The blue cookie let out an over dramatic sigh.
"Please, if I wanted you simply broken and nestled at my feet, I would have done it already. Oh no, I have much greater plans for you. I want to remake you." Pure Vanilla's breath hitched at the words.
"Wh-What do you mean by that?"
"Breaking you completely would be a waste of such talent. You may be a little thief, but you were chosen to be mine for a reason. I might call you my doll Nilly, but that's not what I want. I need a partner. Someone worthy of me. Now don't get me wrong, you'll never come even close to my brilliance, but you're the closest anyone could ever get. The beautiful queen in my glorious empire of lies." Pure Vanilla scoffed at the ridiculous notion.
"Why would I ever want to be a queen? I've already been a king."
"It's a metaphor you silly, silly cookie. Besides, this is a far greater scale than your… quaint little kingdom." Shadow Milk moved in close, as close as another cookie can get without touching them, to whisper in his ear. "All you have to do is just let go. Submit to my will and make things easier on yourself." Pure Vanilla pushed away from the beast and felt his way around until he made it to the edge of the bed, falling into its marshmallow softness.
"Get out of my sight, I'm tired." Shadow Milk sighed again, more resigned this time.
"You're just delaying the inevitable."
The next few days Pure Vanilla stayed in bed. Not wanting to move for anything. He was distantly aware of the rabbits trying to give him food, but he didn't care. In fact, the only thing he did was enchant the door. Anyone who tried to knock, their hands, or paws, would be repelled by the wood like a magnet. The blond knew it wouldn't keep Shadow Milk out, but it would at least stop the sounds of incessant knocking that disturbed his rest. All he wanted to do was wallow in his own misery for a while. Was that so hard to ask for?
Eventually the call of oblivion grew stale and Pure Vanilla was itching to do something. He sat up from the bed, shakily found his way to the door, removed the enchantment and stepped outside. He had no real destination in mind, not that he would be able to find it anyway, he just needed a walk. Getting back to his room would be a problem for the future.
The blond wandered the halls, not bothering to hold onto the walls. If he bumped into someone or something, he didn't care. After Shadow Milk's last humiliation his dignity was in tatters. None of it mattered to the fallen hero anymore. The blond's footsteps began to echo more than they had previously. He must have entered a room, a very large room, from the sounds of it. Pure Vanilla stopped in what he assumed was the centre of the room. He took a deep breath in and out. If anyone else was in here, they hadn't made themselves known. The healer hadn't been sure what he was walking towards, but now that he was here, perhaps this was his destination all along. Somewhere he didn't know, somewhere that held no terrible memories for the ancient. A list that was dwindling as the days went by. Pure Vanilla chose to sit down. Let himself relax for what felt like the first time in a long while.
"Vanilla-Pure Vanilla!" The blond jumped to his feet. This couldn't be happening, that voice… it couldn't be.
"Pure Vanilla! Answer us!" Pure Vanilla opened his, mostly, useless eyes. Trying desperately to see a blur of colour heading towards him.
"Gingerbrave? Is that you? Are you here?!" He couldn't see anyone, not even a scrap of movement around him. When his cries went unanswered, the blond laughed at his foolishness. Had his mental state truly fallen so far that he was imagining the voices of the children? He really was pathetic.
"Of course you're not there…" There was always a chance this was another one of Shadow Milk's tricks, but he couldn't be sure. Normally he would have popped up by now to laugh at his idiocy.
"Pure Vanilla, why didn't you save us?" The ancient whipped his head around, he was certain he was hearing Gingerbrave.
"I-I tried, Shadow Milk was more clever than I had anticipated… I never expected he would do such a thing to you." Although Pure Vanilla still couldn't pinpoint where the voice was coming from he addressed the open air. Hoping to be heard.
"Did you even bother asking Shadow Milk to remove the spell on us?" This time it was Wizard's sneering voice speaking to him. Pure Vanilla could feel his heart speed up. The blond had no idea what was happening. He longed for his staff. The only thing that could ground him. Had he asked Shadow Milk to remove it? At this point he couldn't remember, it had been so long ago now… he thought. Pure Vanilla grasped at his head as it began to throb. All of the manipulation of his memories had left him unsure of the timeline. How long had he even been here?
"I'm sure I must have…" His voice was as frail as he felt.
"We trusted you… and you betrayed us." This time it was Strawberry's voice. No traces of her shyness, only a vicious anger he had never heard from the timid cookie. Pure Vanilla stumbled backwards and tripped. Landing harshly on his ass.
"I would never!" The blond's voice had a hysterical lit to it now. "Please you have to believe me, I would never hurt or betray my friends!" The next words hurt Pure Vanilla more than any physical blow ever could.
"You're just like Shadow Milk." Gingerbrave's voice was cold.
"No.. No I'm not…"
"You're such a liar. Have you forgotten? You're one and the same." Came Gingerbrave's retort. Pure Vanilla began to hyperventilate. Nothing they said was a lie. There was only one thing left to say to them.
"I'm sorry…"
Pure Vanilla was curled up in the middle of some abandoned room with his hands over his ears. The children hadn't let up their taunts and jeers. Bring up every wrong the ancient had ever done in his life. He was fairly certain he was crying, but he couldn't register the tears. All of a sudden the barrage of voices faded into nothing. They were replaced by a voice the healer never thought he'd be happy to hear.
"Well, well, well, what do we have here? Oh my dear Nilly, we really have to stop meeting like this. You really are pathetic you know." Shadow Milk's taunting words were a strange relief for Pure Vanilla. He opened his eyes, the tears blurring his already terrible vision. Sure enough there was a blue blob hovering above him. He was real.
"Make them stop, please." the blond never expected to plead with the beast, but he was sure this was his doing. He couldn't listen to it anymore. There was silence. If it wasn't for the fact he could still see the blue blur, he would have assumed Shadow Milk had left.
"My dear silly Vanilly, I have no idea what you're talking about." Pure Vanilla couldn't help the sob that bubbled up from his throat.
"The voices of the children, it's too cruel, even for you. I can't… I can't take it anymore."
"Uhh, 'Nills, I really have no idea what you're talking about." It was strange, that sounded almost… sincere? It took a few tries before the blond was able to articulate himself properly.
"You… Did you… Is this really not your doing?" It was strange, he had to be lying. Otherwise why had the voices stopped when Shadow Milk appeared. Something he accused the other of.
"As much as I'd love to take credit for whatever it was that left you in such a pathetic state, I'm sorry to say, it has nothing to do with me." Perhaps… he really didn't have anything to do with it after all. Pure Vanilla could feel himself start to tear up again. As his breath hitched he resolved himself to ask for something he swore he'd never ask the beast for.
"Please… Please could you… Please, just hold me… I don't… I don't want to be alone." The words were forced out between sobs. As much as he knew it would crush him, the ancient steeled himself for the jester's cruel jibes or mockery at such a pitiful display. Instead, he did something he wasn't expecting. As if holding the most delicate of porcelain, Shadow Milk bundled Pure Vanilla in his arms. The deceptively soft, and dare he say kind, action only made the healer cry harder. Despite knowing the man was his enemy, it just felt so good to be held. To be treated as something precious instead of a simple toy.
"Just let go Nilly, I'll take away all of you pain." For the first time, Pure Vanilla believed him.
Pure Vanilla must have passed out at some point because, when he came back to awareness, he found himself tucked snugly into bed. How unexpectedly… nice. The blond couldn't trust it. Not after last time. Shadow Milk and 'nice' did not go together. He couldn't make that same mistake again. With that thought in mind Pure Vanilla took stock of his body. While he could tell his clothes had been changed, the textures were different, there didn't appear to be anything else out of the ordinary. No random pains anywhere that he could feel. The ancient let out a sigh of relief. He did not want to have to deal with being sexually assaulted, or worse, on top of the crippling shame that he had begged for Shadow Milk to comfort him. That thought alone made him feel sick.
"Oh look who's finally awake?" Pure Vanilla startled violently at the sound of the jester's voice. Had he been here this whole time?
"Were you watching me sleep?" The blond snarked back. Not bothering to try and figure out where the voice came from.
"You know for being touted as such a nice and polite cookie, you really can be so cruel! Oh how heartless for you to treat me like this! And right after I comforted your pathetic self." The fake offence and hurt in Shadow Milk's tone only annoyed him further.
"It's your fault." The other hummed at the accusation.
"And what makes you say that?"
"You bring out the worst in other cookies." That made the beast laugh, long and hard.
"It's one of my best qualities, don't you think dollface?" Pure Vanilla finally turned to try and find the mass of colour he now recognised as Shadow Milk and was startled once again to find out just how close the other was. Floating just above the bed, so close. How did he not realise how close the other was? Was he losing his mind? What a stupid question. Came his internal response.
"I hate it just as much as I hate you." Pure Vanilla spat back. He could feel a migraine coming on. It was amazing, this might be have set a record for how quickly the beast managed to cause him pain. Unintended or not. Shadow Milk reached out to cup the other's face. To his shame, the blond didn't push him away. He didn't have the energy, at least that's what he told himself.
"You know how much I love it when you lie." The ancient glared at the jester. When would he get it through his head that he couldn't stand him.
"I'm not lying."
"Maybe not to me, but definitely to yourself." Before he even had time to retort, the hand touching his cheek moved to his lips. "I can see in your eyes how desperately you want to refute me but, I'm not done yet boy." It seems Shadow Milk was in one of his lecturing moods. It was moments like this that Pure Vanilla remembered he used to be a teacher.
"Hate and love, they're so much like us, aren't they? Two sides of the same coin. Such deep and all encompassing emotions that seem so different and yet at the end of the day, they both share the same end point. A deep obsession with the object of your ire or amour. You say you hate me, but in my eyes, hate is just another form of love." The blond couldn't believe the other had such warped opinions on love.
"You're sick if you're think that's what love is."
"I think we've already established that, but I'm not wrong. How about this, why don't you tell me what your definition of love is? It's been so long since I've had a decent debate partner. You best not disappoint me now Nills." Pure Vanilla was silent for a moment. Thinking carefully about his answer. In truth, he wasn't sure he'd ever had to put love into words before.
"Love is… Love is soft. It's in the moments of stillness. It's in the small smiles, in the feelings of safety. Love is knowing you can be next to person and never want to be anywhere else." Shadow Milk gagged at his words.
"Witches Nilly I should have known your definition of love would be as cloyingly sweet as you. Tell me this this then, the desire to always want to be next to that person, is that not obsession?"
"What? Of course it isn't."
"Elaborate then, come on, give me examples. Surely this isn't your first debate." The ancient felt a flush of heat at the admonishment.
"Just because you want to be around them all the time, doesn't mean you have to. It isn't a compulsion. Obsession is an oppressive need. That isn't love."
"Just because you don't have to, doesn't mean you don't want to though. Wouldn't that make cookies happier?" Pure Vanilla scowled, what a ridiculous counter point.
"It's the ability to choose. That is the difference."
"You say that and yet, your description of…" Shadow Milk cleared his throat and mocked Pure Vanilla's voice, much to the other's irritation. "An innate need to be around the one that holds your affection. You and I both know it's the same thing at the end of the day." It seemed the blond would have to try another approach.
"The what about the other cookie involved? An obsession cares not for consent." Shadow Milk had the audacity to laugh at his new argument.
"Oh? If that is the case, why do we have fairytales of princes running after princesses? All those stories that showcase if you're persistent enough, you'll get the girl in the end."
"That's a fantasy, it isn't real life."
"Are they really so different? I could list countless examples of those very 'fairytales' being real. I have seen wars waged for the very love you claim is soft. Can such atrocities be attributed to anything other than obsession?" Pure Vanilla wasn't sure how to respond to that, so the jester continued.
"Tell me, what is the real desire behind trying so ardently to prove me wrong? Because from where I'm standing this all seems like a way to deny the truth in your heart. Hate me or love me. It really matters not. The strength of your feelings is evident. Or have you forgotten, we are one, and I've been reading the emotions you've been trying oh so hard to shut out. Not just right now, but all the time. They scream at me, and I know that I consume your thoughts. What is that if not obsession?"
"You're lying," the ancient stuttered. It was a feeble deflection. He didn't want to admit it. He couldn't admit it. Pure Vanilla could feel his breathing speed up. The fallen hero couldn't handle where this was going.
"We both know I'm not. For the proclaimed owner of the Light of Truth, there is so so so so much deceit in your soul. So I guess it's time for a bit of a role reversal. The truth is you no longer know what life without me in it is anymore. I am your life. There's no defence you can mount that would ever prove me wrong." The words felt like a bandage being ripped off too harshly, taking the skin with it. A stark and naked truth the old him would have admitted long before now. Shadow Milk grabbed the blond's chin and forced his blind eyes to presumably look into the beast's.
"So tell me my precious doll, are we finally done with the pretext?" Pure Vanilla let out a shaky breath, and with it went all of his tension. A strange dullness enveloped his mind.
"You win…" They both knew he wasn't just talking about the debate. The blond was pulled into a bruising kiss. It was harsh and possessive and everything he deserved. He let Shadow Milk push him down. He let the beast pull away his clothes, and didn't even react when he felt his wrists being tied to the bed.
"There's my beautiful doll. Finally we can start remaking you…" The blue cookie spoke between kisses down his neck and down his torso. "You're going to be magnificent." Pure Vanilla didn't care. It didn't matter. His sightless eyes focused on the blurred ceiling above him. A sharp gasp of pain was pulled out of him when he felt Shadow Milk enter him. Probably not prepped enough, if at all. It was too hard to focus on what was happening to his own body. Not when he was so focused on the horrible revelations thrust upon him.
Shadow Milk was right. He was a liar. He was a fraud. It made him wonder if 'Pure Vanilla' ever really existed at all? Or was he more a symbol than a real cookie. Something ethereal and ineffable. Easily broken by the harsh realities of the world. No, he was sure he never did. Perhaps he wasn't lying at all when he became Truthless Recluse. Perhaps, it was the first time he'd ever been honest with himself.
Notes:
We did it! Not only have we reached double digit chapters (yay) but this is also the end of Act 1! Also I just wanted to let you all know that I've signed up for the Sage of Truth and Truthless Recluse's Frightfest event being run (Go Team Deceit!), so I will be posting works relating to that. I won't be putting this work on hold though so don't worry!
Chapter 11: Who Can't See
Notes:
This was meant to be out yesterday, but had dry needling done and couldn't type.
(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)
Chapter Text
The Storyteller gripped the bars of his cell. This couldn't be happening. He hadn't done anything wrong! His only crime was Financier finding him suspicious.
"Please, you have to let me out of here, you know I couldn't have done anything to Financier! You were with me. Please, you don't understand, If you keep me here something terrible is going to happen." He called out to Madeleine and Espresso. The pair ignored him. Walking out without a single glance back. The Storyteller backed away from the bars until he hit the bench bolted to the far wall. He slumped down on it. While being locked up for a crime he didn't commit was a problem, it wasn't the one he was most concerned with. No, every crumb of his dough was crying out at him to run. Something was wrong here. It was like all of his nightmares had come alive. Everything tinted in a hideous shade of blue. Oh how he hated that colour. The Storyteller shook himself. No, he couldn't let his panic affect him. He had to find a way out of here. There had to be something. He couldn't stay here.
The Storyteller had scoured the cell he'd been thrown in. There were no loose bars or bricks. No metal scraps he could use to try and fashion into a key or lock-pick. Now it was harder to ignore the panic. The cookie paced the length of his prison. Fifteen steps from end to end. Over and over again. He had to think. Surely this couldn't be the end. After his twelfth circuit, the Storyteller collapsed onto the ground. Gripping his hair as he screamed in frustration. There was no way he'd be able to find his way out like this. He needed to do something to vent his stress. An absurd idea hit him and he couldn't help but laugh.
"Why not continue the story?" No one was there to listen, but did that really matter? He was never telling the story to anyone else anyway. It had always been for himself.
Pure Vanilla couldn't remember the last time he had been so happy. Travelling with Gingerbrave and the others reminded him of the times he used to travel with his former friends. That sent a pang of guilt through his dough. Were they even still alive? Would they even want to see a failure such as himself? He doubted it. The blond was sure they knew about the disgrace of how he lost his entire kingdom. Pure Vanilla could never call himself a hero. Not anymore.
"So Pure Vanilla, do you have any idea where we might start to looking for the God of Deceit's domain?" Gingerbrave asked when they had settled around a campfire for the night. Pure Vanilla shook his head.
"He was the one who came to me; to reclaim a part of his power." The piece he had stolen. The former king touched the soul jam, now re-pinned to his cloak. He had taken it before they had left. It was the only bargaining chip he had left. The mad god had never taken it back. The children looked at the soul jam. Curiosity etched their faces.
"What is it?" Strawberry asked.
"It's called a 'soul jam'. It apparently houses some of the God of Deceit's power." Ever the scholar Wizard latched onto the answer.
"How did you manage to get some of his power? What kind of person can steal magic from a god? Did you have to complete a ritual?" Pure Vanilla laughed at his eagerness.
"Slow down, my friend. You should take a breath. We have plenty of time for me to answer all of your questions. Speaking of them, I'll answer the second question first. It's the easiest. Truth be told, I have no idea how the magic was harvested from the god. I didn't even know it was his until he showed up."
"As for the first on how I received it, I found it. After I finished my pilgrimage and completed the Twelve Trials of the Sugar-Free Road, it was waiting for me. I suppose that also answers your last question as well."
"That's incredible, almost like it was fate." Strawberry cut in. The other two nodded at her assertion.
"Tell me, one more question, what does it do?" Wizard asked. Pure Vanilla wasn't sure he liked the look in the young cookie's eye. Something akin to avarice.
"It strengthens my magic. Consider it like a focus of some sorts."
"Truly fascinating…" Pure Vanilla turned his attention to Gingerbrave, the poor cookie looked like he was on the verge of passing out.
"I think we should all head to bed. In the morning we can figure out what our next move should be." The other cookies agreed. As Pure Vanilla was drifting off to sleep, he prayed that Wizard wouldn't do something crazy. Having a stolen piece of a god's power was not the blessing he might think it is.
That night Pure Vanilla dreamed of a black void with blue eyes surrounding him. A strange voice, sounding oddly like himself, calling out to him. Whispering secrets, guiding his path forward.
Pure Vanilla awoke in a cold sweat. Breathing heavily he tried to take in the dream he just had before it slipped away like sand through his fingers. The king let out a grunt of pain and touched his soul jam. It felt… different. Causing a dull ache in his chest. It almost felt like it was trying to pull him somewhere. Pure Vanilla's eyes widened. Perhaps this was the break they'd all been looking for. His soul jam was calling out to its other half. Begging to be rejoined. There was a small part of him in the back of his mind telling him this just another trick. Even if it was, the king couldn't ignore it. This was their best chance. How else would they find Shadow Milk?
It has taken some convincing to get his travelling companions to agree with his plan. Basing their entire search on a dream and a feeling? If he wasn't the one experiencing it, he'd be distrustful of it too. Eventually they all decided it was the best course of action. Besides, if it didn't work out, at least it was one more place they could cross of their list.
Their trek was long and arduous. Across the Giant Icing Ridge and through the Dark Cacao Kingdom. The latter Pure Vanilla made sure to avoid as best he could. If he was spotted… He didn't know how to face his old friend, if he was even still there. His sins were too great. He could never show his face to the other ancient heroes. Their first true obstacle was the Liquorice Sea. Its dark and tempestuous waters were a danger at the best of times. These were not the best of times. It had taken quite a lot of convincing, and a great deal of coin, to find a brave enough cookie willing to ferry them across the deadly waters.
The strangest thing happened though. The seas were calm. Strangely, eerily calm. It was unprecedented, and it made Pure Vanilla uneasy and relieved in equal measure. The God of Deceit must know he's coming. Continuing to lead him gently to his domain. While that worked in well for their journey, it was also fear inducing. If the god knew they were coming, what hell did he have in store for the former king?
They had arrived. Beast-Yeast. The unknown lands. Very few cookies were brave enough to explore this untouched corner of Earthbread. Its dangerous reputation preceded it. Pure Vanilla couldn't afford to fear this new land. It seems the sentiment was shared with his companions as well. Well, almost all of them.
"Wow! This is amazing! I've never seen anything like this in Crispia! This is going to be a fantastic adventure! I can't wait to tell everyone about it." Gingerbrave's excitement was practically infectious. While he was excited about the adventure of it all, Wizard was excited by the discoveries.
"These plants, I've never seen anything like them! What kinds of spells could they be used for? What strange properties do they contain?!" His thirst for knowledge put a smile on the king's face. The only one who didn't seem to share in their excitement was Strawberry. Pure Vanilla looked at her kindly.
"Is something the matter Strawberry?" The girl startled at the gentle question.
"O-oh… Well… it's just this whole place is really daunting and scary. I'm worried something bad will happen." Pure Vanilla placed a gentle hand on her shoulder.
"No matter what happens, we're all with you. If we stick together nothing can hurt us." A voice soundly scarily like the god they were chasing spoke in the back of his mind. Only one word. 'Liar.'
"Pure Vanilla's right, Strawberry! We won't let anything happen to you." Gingerbrave's words were far more comforting than anything the king could have said. The girl nodded.
"Ri-right…"
They had finally made it. Pure Vanilla could tell they had reached Shadow Milk's domain. The god's power was palpable in the air. So too was the air of trickery. Countless times the quartet were waylaid by liars and schemers. All trying to waste their time or make them stray from the path. They fell for each and every one. It was humiliating, but they wouldn't be deterred.
Finally a large towering structure came into view. This must be it. The heart of his domain. The Spire of Deceit. It was a magnificent sight. Pure Vanilla couldn't help but stare in awe. So this was where the legendary Shadow Milk called home. It was just what he expected of the god.
"Wow this structure is incredible!" Gingerbrave's voice was filled with wonder.
"We have to stay on our guard. We have no idea what tricks might be in store for us." Pure Vanilla wouldn't let his foolishness harm his newfound friends and travelling companions. The wonder faded from the eyes of the children as they nodded. The words reminding them that this beautiful structure housed a terrible foe. With caution the quartet headed through the imposing arch that lead to the Spire's courtyard. They were barely three steps in before the four of them were bound and lifted into the air by blue strings.
"Well, well, well. It seems a few pests have infiltrated my domain." The voice made dread pool in Pure Vanilla's gut. He hadn't expected to be so affected by the trickster god's voice. The blond tried in vain to see where the voice was coming from, turning his staff this way and that as best he could. It seemed as if no one but his party were there.
"Oh my is that…" The disembodied voice had a sudden joy infused into it. Then a sudden laugh. "Why yes it is! If it isn't the foolish King Pure Vanilla! Or, should I say 'former' king now. Have you really not learnt your lesson? Bringing me new playthings. Honestly, I'd almost think you were courting me with all these gifts!" The blond glared at the Spire as if it was the one talking.
"How dare you say such things! I never wanted you to take my subjects! They were never gifts." Pure Vanilla yelled back. All he got in return was another laugh.
"Oh you sweet, silly, silly, little thing. If you never wanted me to do it, then why did you dare to try and lie to the God of Deceit? Hardly a clever move. Tell me, little cookies, did this poor excuse for a monarch tell you how he lost his dear and 'precious' subjects in the first place?" It was Wizard who answered his question.
"Of course! He said he lied to you and in punishment you took his people, but you lied first! You tricked him. Taking his entire people was cruel overkill!" Strawberry nodded along.
"Th-That's right! Yo-You were too mean!" The small girl stuttered out. The jovial laughter morphed into something more sinister.
"I see, but did he tell you what he lied about?"
"It doesn't matter!" Gingerbrave boldly exclaimed.
"Oh, but it does. You see, he lied about returning the power that rightly belonged to me in the first place. I could have almost forgiven any other lie, but not that." Pure Vanilla could feel the eyes of the children on him and he tried to shrink away as best he could while bound in the strings.
"Is that true?" Strawberry asked, her voice soft and timid. Pure Vanilla looked down in shame.
"It is."
"Why didn't you return it? If it wasn't yours to begin with, you should have given it back!" Wizard chastised him. Fully expecting the wrath of his new travelling companions, Pure Vanilla closed his eyes and braced for the verbal assault. He was surprised at Gingerbrave's next words.
"I'm sure Pure Vanilla had a good reason! He'd never do something like that for selfish gain." The confidence in his words shocked both king and god alike. For dangerous seconds there was silence. Each bound cookie holding their breath at what the unpredictable god would do at such insolent words. None of them were expecting the strings to abruptly vanish causing the four of them to land in an ungainly heap.
"Not for selfish gain you say?" Shadow Milk's voice was oddly pensive. "Alrighty! If that's what you really believe then let's put it to the test, shall we?" The God of Deceit suddenly manifested in front of them.
"My Spire is now to become 'King' Pure Vanilla's proving ground." The blond looked at the god in trepidation. Just what was he planning?
"What will you have me do?" The trickster smirked down at him.
"Why if I told you that it would ruin the surprise! We can't have that now, can we?" The king changed his approach.
"Fine then, what are the stakes of your trial?"
"Now that I can tell you. If you succeed I'll give you the three prizes your heart covets most of all. Your companions will leave with you unscathed, I'll return your former subjects and finally…" The god paused for dramatic effect. "I'll let you keep that sliver of my power you unjustly stole from me." That was quite a lot of boons, so the punishment of failure must be so much worse.
"And if I fail?"
"Your new friends will die. You will return my stolen power and… your former subjects will die by your own hand before I take your head." King Pure Vanilla didn't even think twice about his answer.
"Deal." At his words the king felt a searing pain on the front of his right hand. An eye like sigil was seared into his skin. He looked up at the still smirking god.
"What was that for?" The God of Deceit shrugged his shoulders.
"Despite having a soft spot for liars, I can't have you breaking your word again. That mark on your hand will ensure you follow your end of the bargain." Shadow Milk showed his own hand. The same sigil was burned into his skin, but on his palm instead.
"As you can see, I have one too. I can't break my word either." With that their pact was sealed.
Let the games begin.
The Storyteller clutched at his head. Getting to the Spire, is that truly how he managed to do it? It was getting harder and harder to remember. Wait… The cookie on the ground opened his eyes in shock. He, that's what the Storyteller had said. How he managed to do it. As if he were talking as Pure Vanilla himself. It wasn't possible. It couldn't be possible. The Storyteller was just relaying a story that had been long forgotten, and yet, he knew details only the real Pure Vanilla would know. That just made his head hurt more. He groaned in pain. It was impossible. Pure Vanilla was long dead. Just like all the other ancient heroes. Besides there were plenty of other differences between the Storyteller and Pure Vanilla. For one thing the Storyteller could see. The ancient hero was functionally blind. Yes, yes that wasn't something that could just suddenly be cured. Whomever had told him the stroy first must have just been someone the former monarch was close to. That had to be it.
The headache plaguing the Storyteller finally vanished, much to his relief. Said relief didn't last long though. As was the case with most things relating to him. There were screams coming from outside. The Storyteller stood from where he was still crouched on the floor and ran to the barred window of his cell to see if he could figure out what was happening outside. He blanched at the sight. His cell had a decent view of the town square. From his vantage point he could clearly see what had caused the panic. It was as if the scene was specifically set up for the Storyteller to see it in all its macabre detail. Clotted Cream crucified. The sticky jam still dripping from his nailed hands and feet. It was impossible to tell from here if the other cookie was alive or dead. The Storyteller prayed for the latter. He placed a hand over his mouth and backed away from the window. He was right. Something terrible had entered this village, and it wanted to make sure the Storyteller knew. The sound of the cell door opening startled the cookie. When he turned around there wasn't anyone there. The door looking as if it had opened on its own. The only thing that proved someone had been there was a small card on the ground. With trembling hands, the Storyteller picked up the card and nearly gagged at the scent. The card smelled like rotten blueberries with a slight hint of cloying vanilla trying in vain to mask the smell of death. There were only eleven words written neatly on the card, but they were enough to strike terror into his heart.
Let's play a game!
How many people can you keep alive?
There was only one thing for the Storyteller to do. He ran.
Notes:
We finally made it to the end of the first half of the 'present' section. It actually got a lot darker than I was anticipating, but that's part of the fun! The next chapter is going to be a little different. It's going to be from a new PoV! I hope you're all still enjoying the ride!
Chapter 12: Entr'acte
Summary:
As the curtain falls on the first act, don't be in a rush to leave your seat. A certain jester has entered the stage to entertain and delight you all until the next act begins.
Notes:
I'm not dead! I'm so sorry this took so long to come out, I got some really scary health news at the beginning of November (that long story short I'm having surgery on Friday) and it killed almost any desire to write, but I got there in the end!
Also, I made a new summary for this fic, because I really didn't like the old one, and added a new chapter to the count!
This chapter is based during Act 1: Scene 4
I hope you enjoy!
(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)
Chapter Text
Somewhere on the remote continent of Beast-Yeast a red neon “On Air” sign flickers to life and all radios on what remained of Earthbread followed suit. The smooth voice of a cookie comes through the static loud and clear.
“Greetings my dear audience. I know it’s been a while since you’ve heard my voice. Did you miss me?” The host chuckled to himself before continuing.
“The first act of this magnificent radio drama has come to a close. Our hero has fallen! Is there truly no hope left? I know you’re all eager to find out, but for now, I offer you a small interlude.”
“You’ve seen the story from the perspective of our fallen hero, but what of the supposed villain? I’m sure my dear listeners out there are just crumbling to know, well the wait is over. It’s his turn now."
“Enjoy the show.”
Shadow Milk had been enjoying breaking in his newest doll, but sadly business called. With his dear Nilly currently throwing a little hissy fit, the beast decided now would be the best time to check in with his darling minions. After Black Sapphire had taken the little gnats' bodies to the prop storage the jester had called him and Candy Apple over and ordered them to move out of the Spire for the foreseeable future. Neither one were particularly happy, but had no choice in the matter.
"I know this isn't ideal for either one of you, but I need my silly Vanilly to be as isolated as possible. It's the only way I can break him completely." Was the reasoning he gave them. Oh yes, cookies like his pathetic other half thrived on social interaction. Shadow Milk had to get rid of as much of it as he possibly could. He didn't worry too much about Black Sapphire, but Candy Apple was a different story. Despite his orders he was sure she'd, not so subtly, try and mess with Pure Vanilla. Even if it was a negative experience, it would still be social interaction. No, Shadow Milk had to be the only important cookie left in the blond's world for the trick to pay off quickly. If he could, the beast would have emptied his entire Spire. Unfortunately trying to set up that many cookies and other servants in a secondary location would take too much time and effort. Effort that could all be used to, continue, breaking in his newest toy. In the end both of them, begrudgingly, agreed. The jester knew they would. They were his most trusted cookies and they'd never dare to go against him.
Shadow Milk might have exiled them from the Spire temporarily, but that didn't mean he left them somewhere any less opulent. The jester opened a portal that led to a grand estate just on the boarder of his domain. A little getaway for when he duties got too much to bear. Towards the end of the Fount's life it felt like he spent more time here than in his beloved Spire. He hadn't been back here since his release. That didn't mean it wasn't kept well maintained. The beast would never let his minions live in anything less than luxury. It the very least they deserved for their dedicated service to his cause. As he looked around the grand entrance he nodded to himself. His constructs had been doing their job. The place looked spotless, not a single speck of dust to be found. Even after all those years locked away his creations were still diligent in their work. Ha, the other beast only wished they could do something as magnificent as this while still imprisoned.
"Black Sapphire, Candy Apple! I'm here!" Shadow Milk projected his voice. Knowing it would resound throughout the entire estate. He heard Candy Apple long before he saw her.
"Master Shadow Milk!" Her shrill voice came down the hall followed by the clacking of her little mary janes. She stopped right in front of the blue cookie, her fawning eyes taking him in as if she hadn't seen him in centuries. "Oh I missed you so much Master Shadow Milk! It's been so lonely here without your magnificent presence." A sigh was the announcement of Black Sapphire.
"Settle down, don't crowd our Master." Black Sapphire turned his attention to Shadow Milk and bowed. "Master Shadow Milk, how may we assist you?" The beast smiled. If he was, ugh, honest, with himself he had missed his minions dearly. His little toy was fun, but it was nice having an adoring audience over the maudlin one Pure Vanilla is.
"Oh, I just thought I'd come over and see how the both of you have been doing, and to make sure our delicious little plans are coming along nicely." Candy Apple beamed and giggled, immediately jumping in to brag about everything she had done.
"I've got all the faeries eating out of the palm of my hand! They believe anything I say! They trust me completely, just like you wanted Master Shadow Milk." Her smile turned vicious. "I can't wait to see what you have planned for them." The beast smiled and clapped his hands, allowing some confetti to manifest.
"Perfect! Wonderful, absolutely fantastic! Keep up the good work. I expect them to be obedient little puppets by the time they become part of the ensemble cast!" Candy Apple squealed in delight at her master's praise.
"Of course Master Shadow Milk! I'll never disappoint you!" Her next words were mumbled, but the jester heard them nonetheless. "Not like that boring, pathetic vanilla cookie that's trying to take you away from me…" Not wanting to deal with her obsession at the moment, he turned to Black Sapphire.
"And you? What lovely rumours are floating around?" He paused for a moment before speaking again. "Are there any surrounding our little… experiment?" Candy Apple looked between her master and Black Sapphire with a look of pure outrage.
"What experiment?! Why haven't I heard about this?! Master Shadow Milk, you would really entrust something special to him?" Black Sapphire twirled his microphone before gently tapping Candy Apple on the head.
"Quiet on the set please." Once he had dealt with her, Black Sapphire began his report. "Master Shadow Milk, so far the biggest news breaking across Earthbread is that the ancients have 'awakened' their soul jams. Celebrating their victories over the beasts." His tone was professional but couldn't disguise his disdain for the 'celebrations'. "Rumour is, all the ancients plan to return to Crispia to find a way to deal with the Beasts and Dark Enchantress permanently. They'll be convening in the Crème Republic to discuss next steps." Exactly as Shadow Milk had expected, but it would be a pain trying to advance his plans in the Republic. He'll need to find a way to push this little conclave to the Faerie Kingdom. Things would be much easier there. Candy Apple was still confused.
"Wait, why are the celebrating like all of those pathetic thieves won? There's no way our Master was beaten by that vanilla vermin." If it wasn't about his other half, the beast would almost be impressed at the amount of vitriol dripping off her words. He laughed.
"Oh don't you worry, there was no way my silly, silly, Nilly was ever going to beat me… but the world doesn't have to know that right now." The girl still looked completely clueless at his words. Shadow Milk smiled, he supposed it was time for Candy Apple to learn about their experiment. With a snap of his fingers the jester summoned an orb. As the trio peered into it, it showed a scene from the Vanilla Kingdom. There in the centre of it was Pure Vanilla in flowing white and gold robes and long, shiny blond hair. Nothing like the depressed barely presentable disaster Candy Apple remembered seeing in the Spire. She made a face.
"Ugh, why does he look so disgustingly pure…" She paused and looked at the other two confused. "I don't get it, isn't he still in the Spire?" The girl pouted. If he was really out there then why hadn't her master brought them back yet! Wait… In the orb three very familiar children showed up as well. How was that possible?! She saw her master turn them into marionette's herself! They were as good as dead! Nothing was making sense, and not in the good way.
"What's going on?" Shadow Milk smiled, delighted in his minion's adorable confusion.
"Oh my dear Nilly is indeed still in the Spire, but after I sent you both away, I realised something. If I kept one of the ancients locked away for a long period of time, nosy little cookies would all try to find him. I couldn't let nobodies swarm my carefully cultivated stage, so decided on using an understudy to entertain them! With all his silly little memories swirling inside my head, it was all too easy to create a golem that looked and acted like my most precious actor." Candy Apple pouted.
"So why is he dressed like that?" She'd never seen him wear something like that before.
"Well, it's as Black Sapphire said, the other thieves had a costume change, so Nilly needed one too. Do you like it? I designed it myself!"
"Of course I love it! Master Shadow Milk always makes the best costumes!" The fawning words came instantly.
"So, anyway, when I was in the middle of creating Nilly's understudy, I realised that people would grow suspicious if he came back without those annoying gnats that constantly buzzed around him…" The jester shrugged. "So I had to create them as well, and now a month later and they still haven't figured it out!" He turned to Black Sapphire. "Right?" The purple cookie nodded.
"That's correct Master Shadow Milk. There have been no rumours circulating about Pure Vanilla acting suspicious. As expected of your brilliant craftsmanship." Shadow Milk was thrilled. It was so nice not having to worry about someone ruining his time with his new toy. He'd have hated giving him up too soon.
"Everything is almost ready, once I finally break my little doll, we can finally move on to-" A sudden stab of intense pain rocked through Shadow Milk's dough. He could distantly hear the concern in his minion's voices, but couldn't make out what they were saying. What on Earthbread just happened? His eyes widened and his face morphed into a snarl. Something had happened to the Spire. Something was trying to play with his toy.
"There's something happening in the Spire, I have to go." Not wasting another second, Shadow Milk instantly opened a portal back to the Spire. What he found left him with an intense feeling of relief. It was just Pure Vanilla. Looking at the chaos around the beast was pleasantly surprised at the amount of damage the blond had created. Each and every day he was more and more impressed by his doll. His pathetic thieving friends really had no idea such a precious creature was in their midst. Oh yes, no one could ever truly appreciate his other half in the way he could.
"Well, well, well, I leave for a few hours and it looks like I missed all the excitement."
The story faded away as the radio host's voice filled the airways once more.
"My, my, so many plots unfolding behind the scenes! It almost makes me sad that we have to relinquish the stage back to the protagonist. Well ladies and gentlemen, I hope you enjoyed our little interlude. I know I most certainly did."
"I'll see you again soon, my dearest audience."
With those parting words the 'On Air' sign flicked off. The broadcast might be done for the day, but the curtain is about to rise on the second act.
Notes:
Just as a heads up: The next chapter will be one based in the 'future'.
Thank you all again for reading!
Chapter 13: The Wolf At Your Door
Notes:
Surgery went well, but when I got to my post-op appointmnet I heard the six words you never want to hear from your surgeon. "So we didn't get it all..." So at some point I need to have another one to fix the problem, but who knows when that will be with the holidays upon us, but at least I managed to get another chapter out fairly quickly despite all the nonsense!
Chapter Text
The Storyteller didn't hesitate. He ran out of his cell, out of the building, and headed right for the woods surrounding the village. He didn't look back at the crucifix, not a glance at his fellow villagers. He didn't even think about the the card inviting him to join a twisted game. There was only one thing racing through his mind. He had to get out. He had to escape. Perhaps that was selfish, but the Storyteller didn't care in this moment. His fear overriding everything else. As he reached the tree line, something strange happened. He was struck with a sudden wave of dizziness, his vision blacking out.
When his eyes opened again the Storyteller found himself back inside the cell he had just fled from. What just happened? How did he get all the way back here?! On the floor in front of the cookie was another card. The same nauseating smell coming off it. With trembling hands the Storyteller picked it up.
Oh dear, it seems you hit the boundary!
You have been returned to the spawn point.
The Storyteller crumpled the card up and set off again. Surely there had to be some way he could escape the village! He couldn't let this stop him. He snuck through the village, trying the other side this time. As he walked he caught snatches of conversation.
"Who could do such a thing to Clotted Cream?!" A cookie asked. Another gasped as they pointed to the sky.
"Are-Are there eyes in the sky?!" The Storyteller's breath caught in his throat as he chanced a look at the sky. Sure enough instead of the night sky there was an unnatural blackness only broken up by large blinking blue eyes. If he wasn't already sure who was behind this, he would have been now. The Master of Deceit had finally announced himself in full. There was no time to waste. The Storyteller broke into a run once more. Uncaring that other cookies might see him. As people slowly started to realise what was happening, the screaming started. People noticed him running and began to follow suit. Unfortunately once the Storyteller reached the tree line the same thing as before happened. He found himself back in his cell. The cookie wondered if others were facing the same problem, or if it was exclusive to him. There was another card waiting.
You're starting to test my patience.
You cannot escape.
Try again and I won't be so forgiving.
The Storyteller felt his breath pick up in panic. It seemed there was no choice. He had to play the other cookie's twisted game.
"What do you want me to do?" He whispered, knowing Shadow Milk was listening. In real time the Storyteller watched as the words on the card slowly shifted.
That's more like it!
Come out and admire my gift to you.
The show is about to begin with you as my most beautiful star.
The Storyteller felt sick. How could Shadow Milk call what he'd done to Clotted Cream a gift? He'd never had any issues with their mayor. Not willing to stall any longer, he walked out of his cell and headed right for the gruesome sight.
Despite the sense of chaos and fear in the air there were still some people looking on in horror at their leader's cruel fate. As the Storyteller came closer his stomach twisted as he saw the stuttering rise and fall of the blond's chest. Oh by the Witches, he was still alive.
"Well, well, well! Our star has finally arrived!" Everyone outside immediately looked around, trying to find the source of the voice. Terrified murmurs surrounded the Storyteller but he couldn't for the life of him make out what they were saying. His attention lie solely on the sky. Staring at those blinking blue eyes, waiting for the Master of Deceit to make his appearance. It didn't take long. In a grand flash of blue the jester appeared. A giant looming presence floating lazily above them. That's when the next wave of icy terror hit the villagers. People were running in all directions trying desperately to escape, only to find when they reached the tree line they'd appear back in the square. The Storyteller watched Shadow Milk's idle amusement at all the chaos his appearance had caused.
Even if he wasn't looking directly at Shadow Milk, he would have known the second the dark overload looked his way. That chill that ran down a cookie's spine when they've caught the attention of a predator. The Storyteller fell to the ground at the weight of such a gaze. That seemed to only please the floating beast. Shadow Milk snapped his fingers and countless blue strings appeared. Each one heading straight for a villager, the Storyteller included. All too soon the entire village was on the ground kneeling in front of their crucified mayor. The jester smiled. A vicious and cruel thing.
"Well isn't this just the cutest little village I ever did see! I'm surprised such a large infestation of gnats have managed to elude me for so long!" He shrugged his shoulders. "Ah well, the most important thing is I'm here now, and we're going to have oh so much fun together. I'm sure of it." Although he was speaking to the entire village, Shadow Milk's eyes never left the Storyteller once. The scrutiny was sending spikes of anxiety through his dough. What had he done to earn such attention? Was it because he dared to tell Pure Vanilla's story? He was brought out of his thoughts when Clotted Cream groaned. The noise appeared to irritate Shadow Milk. The blue cookie flew down to hover by the other cookie. Revelling in the way villagers tried to fight their bonds and flinch back.
"I nearly forgot about you! Oh how silly of me! I must say, it's been quite a while since I've come across a mayor. Bureaucracy is usually the first thing to fall when anarchy reigns. It's almost quaint." The jester wrapped Clotted Cream's throat in blue threads.
"Despite how… cute I find your little attempt at bringing order to my delightful chaos, you ruined my grand entrance! That simply cannot stand, oh no no no no no!" The strings tightened around the blond's neck, causing another sound of pain. A manic grin appeared on the beast's face.
"Since you oh so love antiquated ideas, like democratically elected leadership, I have the most fitting of punishments for daring to ruin my fun. It's one of the most common ways to kill someone of your…station." Shadow Milk began to tighten the strings around Clotted Cream's neck. Gasps and cries came from the crowd when they realised what was about to happen. The Storyteller himself was staring in horror. He could feel his wrists burning as he tried to desperately break his bonds and do something, anything, to help.
"Please, don't do this!" The Storyteller yelled. That silenced the crowd. None of them expecting someone to dare make demands of one of their overlords. Shadow Milk didn't look offended, in fact, he seemed even more delighted at the outburst. The jester kept constant eye contact with the Storyteller as he uttered the damning words.
"Off with your head!" With a finally sharp tug of the strings it was done. There were countless screams and cries at the action. The Storyteller could feel himself starting to hyperventilate. Clotted Cream hadn't done anything to gain the attention of Shadow Milk and met such a violent and cruel end, just what was going to happen to someone that had caught his eye?
"You know, I've never liked politicians. I've always found them to be nothing more than talking heads!" Shadow Milk laughed as if he'd said the funniest thing in the world. "Well he's only one of those things now!" The jester's face then suddenly fell into something frighteningly serious.
"But someone here needs to be punished." Those terrifyingly serious eyes looked at the Storyteller who's heart felt like it could beat out of his chest at any moment. Oh Witches… what was going to happen to him? Shadow Milk floated over to the Storyteller's supplicant form and cupped his cheek. It was almost tender, if it weren't for the predatory stare.
"Did you think I wouldn't be drawn to all your pretty lies?" The Storyteller's breath caught in his throat. The world narrowing to just the two of them.
"I don't… I… I'm just telling stories. That's all..." The Beast chuckled at his stuttered words.
"Still such a silly little liar even now! I wouldn't call 'rewriting history' just a story. Now, normally I wouldn't care, I'd even be impressed! Sadly for you, this particular story involves my illustrious self, so I have a vested interest. So tell me, Storyteller, what do you think I should do about this?"
"Please, don't hurt anyone else in the village… I'm the one who's offended you, if you have to take another life… let it be mine." His words pulled another laugh from the overlord currently very deep into his personal space.
"Ah you're always such a martyr!" Shadow Milk condescendingly patted his cheek. "Relax, I'm not out for blood! Oh no no! In fact it's the opposite! I'm rather curious about how your silly little story ends! So…" the blue cookie moved to whisper in his ear. "Let's play a game." The Storyteller gasped at the uttered words. If there was any doubt who sent those notes, it was dispelled in an instant. The jester did a dramatic flip to propel him higher in the sky. When the blue cookie brandished his cane, the villagers cowered in fear. Petrified of what the mercurial overload would do. The ground rumbled and shook and on the other side of the square a grand stage suddenly appeared.
The Storyteller was lifted into the air with a gasp of shock and was placed centre stage.
"Ladies and Gentlemen! Cookies of all ages, roll up, roll up! A new talent has come to our great stage! All of you give a warm round of applause to your precious Storyteller!" Shadow Milk marched the cookies from their place around the crucifix to the base of the stage. Uncaring about the crying of children and the helpless faces of the villagers. Once everyone was exactly where the Beast wanted them to be, he looked back at the Storyteller.
"Dear Storyteller, if the next instalment of your story pleases me, I'll set some of your precious villagers free! They can decide if they want to stay here, or try their luck out in the wilds! Their choice! So, please, tell us more about the silly King Pure Vanilla, and the dashing God of Deceit!" The Storyteller looked down at all the terrified faces of the villagers. The children especially tugged at his heartstrings. With a deep, shuddering, breath the Storyteller began to speak.
The God of Deceit brought the quartet down to an underground river. It was actually a beautiful spot, but Pure Vanilla kept his guard up. No matter how picturesque, he was sure this place had its share of dark secrets. Shadow Milk gestured grandly at the river he was floating above.
"Welcome to the Yogurt River! All you have to do is get you and your little friends from one bank to the other." While it sounded easy, the former king had learnt his lesson. There was clearly some trick to this task.
"What's the catch?" Pure Vanilla asked, suspicion clear in his tone. If it bothered Shadow Milk, he didn't show it. Instead he laughed at the question.
"Oh my, my, my, has a brain finally grown in that doughy, little head of yours? Well, better late than never I suppose!" The blond wouldn't let the dig at his former trusting nature get to him.
"I ask you again, oh God of Deceit, what's the catch?" He wouldn't allow anyone else to be harmed by his folly ever again. Pure Vanilla needed to make sure he had all the information before risking the lives of the children with him. Shadow Milk sighed dramatically. His floating form dropping a few inches at the demand.
"You're no fun anymore. Fiiiine. Since you're being so dramatic about it, I'll tell you the river's little secret." His voice lowered conspiratorially. "Anything that touches the river water will sink like a stone, but that doesn't mean there isn't a way to get across." His words were completely unhelpful.
"That's not fair! This is clearly a rigged game!" Came Wizard's incensed voice.
"Wizards right! You're not playing fair!" Strawberry added. Gingerbrave looked at Pure Vanilla, who hadn't said anything. The former king was just staring at the river.
"Do you have a plan Pure Vanilla?" The words startled the healer.
"Oh, Gingerbrave… I was just thinking…" Despite the trial appearing to be rigged, the blond was knew there had to be something else to it. Shadow Milk might be the God of Deceit, but he still followed his own set of rules. They were simply indecipherable to regular cookies.
"Don't worry Pure Vanilla, you'll be able to figure it out. I believe in you." The young cookie's gentle encouragement brought a smile to the former king's face.
"Thank you, Gingerbrave…" He looked at the three children he had grown so fond of during their brief adventures together, their faces filled with such unwavering determination. He wouldn't fail them. "With you three here, I know I'll be able to get through this." Shadow Milk made a rude noise. Disturbing the the soft scene in front of him.
"Ugh, if I knew you were going to be this sappy, I would have thrown you all into the river and washed my hands of you all. Come on, hurry up, your subjects won't wait forever you know." Pure Vanilla ignored his words. The blond knew everything the god was saying, was a way to psyche him out.
"You sink if you touch the water, but there's a way to get across…" The blond thought aloud. "If the answer isn't something physical then it has to be mental." The God of Deceit clapped sarcastically at his musings. Clearly bored.
"Well now, you really did grow a brain, but Witches just get on with it already! There's still plenty more for us to do today."
"So this isn't the only trial I am to undertake." Pure Vanilla was already fairly certain that was the case, but it was nice to have his conjectures proven by the god himself. The bored expression was wiped of Shadow Milk's face in an instant. His expressions changed in rapid succession. Surprise, irritation, rage, before settling on his signature look of superiority.
"Well look who's a clever one now. You're right, it isn't. There was no way I was going to let you off so easily, but none of that matters right now. So far you haven't done anything to progress in this trial, so I don't have any faith you'll even make it past this point." Pure Vanilla scowled at the words. He wasn't that incompetent. It was time to prove this arrogant god wrong. Despite there clearly being a more cerebral way to cross the river, Pure Vanilla wasn't willing to risk any of the children's lives if his conjectures were wrong. So that crossed out the most obvious answer. The one Shadow Milk wanted him to discover. The blue cookie wasn't the only one who could play dirty. As they were being escorted down to the river, the blond had been taking in his surroundings. There was foliage hanging down all over the place. As a lover of botany, Pure Vanilla was sure that the vines hanging down would be strong enough to hold a cookie's weight. What's the best way to cross a river that will sink anyone who dares try to cross it? Bypass the river entirely. The former king looked at the three children with a smile.
"Do you trust me?" All three nodded without hesitation. A gesture of faith he was sure he didn't deserve, but was proud to have nonetheless. "What I need, is for one of you to hop onto my back, and I'll help you across." To no one's surprise Gingerbrave was the first to volunteer.
Once the young cookie was secure on his back, Pure Vanilla took a deep breath and grabbed onto one of the low hanging vines. After a few moments when it was clear the vine wasn't going to break, the blond breathed a sigh of relief. It looked like his plan was going to work. He chanced a look at Shadow Milk, his expression unreadable. Well that was concerning, but he couldn't allow himself to be distracted on the god's feelings on his work around. As long as he got everyone across, the how didn't really matter. Very slowly, Pure Vanilla reached for the next vine, and the next, and the next. Slowly but surely, the two cookies found themselves on the other bank of the river. Gingerbrave jumped off the former king's back with an excited whoop.
"It worked! I knew it, Pure Vanilla is the smartest!" The blond felt his cheeks heat up at the sincere praise. The slow and sarcastic clapping came back and caused everyone to look at the irritated god.
"Oh how very clever, but you've only managed to get half across. Don't get too cocky." He looked the former king up and down with a smirk. "Do you really think you have the stamina to do that same trick there and back twice more?" Pure Vanilla gave a resolute nod.
"I'm sure I can do it. For these children, for my people. I will do whatever it takes."
"Hmm, we shall see."
Pure Vanilla had managed to get back to the other shore to pick up Wizard and take him across and managed to get back before his strength was starting to fail him. It was fine. He only had one more trip to make. He could do this. Strawberry looked very concerned.
"I-I'm not sure I can do this…" She mumbled, her mouth covered by her hoodie. The former king placed a comforting hand on the girl's head.
"It'll be alright, I'll be there with you every step of the way, but if you don't think you can do it, I'm sure I can find another way." The girl managed a small smile. She was still trembling faintly, but it seemed like his words moved her.
"O-okay… Let's go…" With another encouraging smile, he set off across the river for the last time.
About three quarters of the way across Pure Vanilla felt like there was something wrong. The God of Deceit had been too quiet for too long. That was always a bad sign. Taking a quick glance at the jester there was a smug expression on his face. The blond felt terror grip him. An expression like that only meant trouble. He was sure of it. Pure Vanilla had to get them across and quickly. He increased his pace. Just as he was about to make it to the other bank, the former monarch saw movement out of the corner of his eye. Without thinking Pure Vanilla let go of the vine and with his remaining strength, grabbed Strawberry from off his back and threw her to the bank. He saw the two boys pulling her towards them before he felt the intense chill of the yogurt river. Pure Vanilla sank.
Just as Shadow Milk had said, no matter how desperately he kicked or tried to swim, nothing was working. He just kept sinking. The only thing in his head was the traitorous thought that once again he had failed everyone. He was an absolute joke. Not a hero, not a king, nothing. Pure Vanilla shook the thought off. No. He couldn't allow himself to think like that. He had to find a way out of this. Nothing was going to stop him. The God of Deceit had said that there was a way to cross the river. He just had to figure out what it was, and quickly.
The former king could feel his lungs starting to burn. He had barely had time to take a quick breath before he plunged into the depths. He had to think like Shadow Milk. What kind of mechanic would he create to allow someone to float. Something unique to him. Perhaps it was the lack of oxygen, but Pure Vanilla had an idea. He was the God of Deceit. Could it be as simple as that? Allow deceit to foster in his soul. It wouldn't be hard. He had been a liar and a fool his entire life. Would it really be so bad to accept deceit? No. No, it wouldn't. Closing his eyes Pure Vanilla allowed himself to soak in the deceit surrounding his soul. Letting it sink into him. The blond knew it had to be happening, because now all the pain seemed to be coming from his Soul Jam. A last dying effort to trying and dissuade him from his chosen course of action. The former king fought through the pain. This was all for the sake of the people who counted on him. Pure Vanilla could always repent and beg the Light of Truth for forgiveness when this was all over. It was reasonable, surly it would forgive him in time.
Without even realising it Pure Vanilla's head surfaced from the river water and he took a deep breath. His burning lungs finally given the oxygen it so desperately craved. With a monumental effort Pure Vanilla swam to the shore. Once he was safe, the former king collapsed. Barely hearing the cheers followed by sounds of concern from the children. The last thing he recalled hearing was Shadow Milk's smooth voice.
"Well, well, seemed you passed my first trial."
When the Storyteller finally finished speaking it felt like he'd run a marathon. He knew the story was far from over, but he was exhausted and his voice hoarse. Telling stories was meant to be relaxing. A form of escapism. Of course the Beast of Deceit would find a way to ruin this too. Speaking of the beast, he was floating above the crowd looking pensive. The Storyteller held his breath, glancing at the crowd they held the same level of terrified anticipation that he had. With a sudden clap, that made everyone collectively flinch, the jester had made his decision.
"Marvellous! Oh, simply marvellous! You truly are gifted with words! Ah, I especially loved the part where that silly, silly, King nearly drowned! Oh it was wonderful!" With a wave of his cane a small group of villagers were lifted in the air by strings, causing them to scream. A wave of terror gripped the Storyteller. Hadn't the beast said he liked his performance? Why was he going against his word? The cookie nearly laughed at himself. Believing the Master of Deceit would do as he said he would. How foolish. The inevitable agonised screams of pain and despair didn't appear though. The cookies taken to air were placed down, deceptively, gently a little ways away from the rest of the crowd. The strings binding their limbs were removed all except for a thin blue string around each chosen cookie's wrist.
"Alright-y a deals a deal! You little cookies are free to go. That little blue string will let you through my barrier." The Storyteller recognised some of the cookies being allowed to leave. Gingerbrave and Strawberry were amongst them alongside a few other children as well. He was relieved. At least a few of them would be freed from this nightmare. Gingerbrave, true to his name, was brave enough to ask their beastly overlord a question.
"There's so many dangers outside of the village, where are we supposed to go?" Shadow Milk looked at the child curiously. It seemed he, too, was shocked someone was brazen enough to question him instead of bowing at his magnanimous decision. The jester smirked and looked at the Storyteller. The action sending a chill through his dough.
"My, my, my, aren't you a brave one daring to question me." The words were directed at the child, but he never stopped looking at the Storyteller who was wracked with fear. What would the beast do to someone who dared speak out? The whole scene gave the Storyteller a sickening feeling of déjà vu.
"Please, he didn't mean any disrespect, don't hurt him. I beg you!" Even the words the Storyteller spoke felt familiar. Shadow Milk all the while looked like he was enjoying every moment of the collective fear. Blue ribbons wrapped around the Storyteller's mouth.
"I might find your voice pretty, but I've heard enough of it today. So be a good little doll and stay quiet while I deal with this." Finally the beast's eyes were taken off the Storyteller and focused on the child in question again.
"Frankly, I don't know, and I don't care. Get ripped apart out there, scream real loud so I know where to find the show, other than that; you're no longer important." He made a shooing motion at the group of stunned, newly freed, captives. "Now run along before I change my mind." The cookies didn't need to be told twice. They rushed towards the tree line, any stragglers were picked up and practically dragged out of the village. The Storyteller didn't take another breath until they all safely left the beast's barrier. When they didn't simply re-spawn back into the town square a giant weight lifted off his shoulders. Finally. At least a few people were now free from this nightmare. That was something. His relief didn't last long. Soon Shadow Milk's attention returned to him once more.
"You really shouldn't doubt me, you know." The words sent a chill through the Storyteller's dough. Abruptly the jester swooped down right in front of him. The Storyteller flinched instinctively, expecting punishment for his outburst, but that's not what happened. Instead the beast caressed his cheek.
"When I play my games, I keep my word. Besides, those little cookies mean nothing to me. After all, you're worth all of them combined." Even if he was able to speak, the Storyteller had no idea what he could possibly say to such an admission. Thankfully he didn't have to dwell on it for too long, because Shadow Milk flew back up to address his other captives.
"Well folks, the show is over for the day, but don't worry, there's still plenty more fun to come!" The jester clapped and suddenly all the strings holding down the villagers vanished. "Run along now, scurry back to your little burrows for the evening before I change my mind!" The villagers didn't need to be told twice. As soon as they could, the all rushed to be as far away from the Master of Deceit as they were allowed to get.
Now there were only two cookies left in the square. An overlord and his bound subject. The Storyteller was beginning to feel dizzy. His panicked breathing alongside the ribbons still gagging him making it hard to get in enough air. The ribbons suddenly vanished and the cookie gasped. Too busy focusing on the air rushing to his lungs to think about the oppressive presence giving the Storyteller his undivided attention. Once he managed to get his breathing under control he glanced at the oddly silent Master of Deceit. The Storyteller bowed his head to the jester.
"What are you going to do to me?" He asked in a quiet voice. He didn't really understand the beast's previous comments about him being 'worth more' than the other cookies in the village. He was unremarkable. Didn't even have a flavour! Surly this couldn't all stem from him knowing a story about the other. Shadow Milk made a big show of pondering the question.
"I have no intention of doing anything to you." That made the Storyteller look up with a start. he had questioned one of their overlords, more than once, and yet nothing was going to happen to him? Whatever expression was on his face made the beast laugh uncontrollably.
"Oh ho ho, you should see that clueless little expression you're making. It's simply adorable. You shouldn't worry your pretty little head about my plans. Just follow my commands and everything will work out." The Storyteller wasn't sure his version of things 'working out' and the blue cookie's version were the same thing. With a snap, his limbs were strung up. Forcing the cookie from his place on his knees to up into the air. He flew the Storyteller towards his home. Chattering on while they flew.
"Now I think it's time for you to head home now too! You have a very busy next few days. Rest that pretty voice of yours. I'll have someone bring you back out when it's time for your next show."
The Storyteller was roughly dropped to the ground on his doorstep.
"Tha-Thank you…" The cookie managed to stutter out before the jester vanished. Gone to Witches know where. Not wanting to waste a moment the Storyteller rushed into his home and locked the door. Not that it would do much against a force like Shadow Milk. In the, somewhat, safety of his home, the Storyteller allowed himself to fall apart. This was just the first few hours with the beast. Just what would the next few days look like? All he could do was pray that the mercurial overlord would stay satisfied with his words. The cookie shuddered to think of the consequences if he wasn't.
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