Chapter Text
Pure Vanilla let out a soft sigh. He stood on the wide balcony of his castle, leaning on the white sugar stone railing. The sight below him was simply… peaceful. He couldn't help, but smile as he positioned his staff to overlook the kingdom.
He let himself relax, even closing the eye on his flower beholder. For a moment he wanted to just hear and feel.
The fresh breeze brushed against his hair as he felt the warmth of the sun on his dough. He could hear the streets below him. Cookies simply walking by, talking, laughing. In the distance he could even catch a few bluebirds singing and chattering.
He let that moment last just a little longer. He stayed still as everything moved around him. It was calming to just take a few minutes to stop and let all the weight slide off his shoulders. Leaving his mind in a fog.
A sudden peep made him snap him out of his trance. He opened the eye of his staff to see a lone blueberry bird on the railing, staring up at him. Pure Vanilla titled his head.
“Well hello, little one.”
Pure Vanilla offered his hand and the little birdy gladly jumped into his palm. He carefully caressed the blue feathers with his thumb, while the tiny bird leaned into his touch.
He lifted his head, overlooking his kingdom once more. His heart filled with warmth.
They've come so far.
He can't help, but be reminded of the day, when he stepped into his kingdom for the first time after what must have been millennia. The day when he just remembered who he was again. Seeing the once lively kingdom in complete shambles, left rotting after the war, broke his soft heart. It reminded him of all his failures. Walking through the empty ruined streets made him think that it was the end of the Vanilla Kingdom. That there was no chance of rebuilding it.
But he was proven wrong. With a little bit of hope and hard work it had bloomed again. Slowly his kingdom rose from its ruin, standing strong once more. It's still quite far from its former glory, but he would never complain about such a thing.
He was simply happy to see it so full of life again. Being able to actually provide his fellow raisin friends with comfortable homes, supplies and safety filled him with pure joy. Soon even other nearby small villages came to the Vanilla Kingdom with hope for a better life. Pure Vanilla was beyond happy to help in any way he could.
A soft peep had snapped him out of his thoughts again. The eye of his beholder landed on the little bird in his palm. It started to jump up and down, while it chattered. Like if it was trying to tell him something.
Pure Vanilla hummed. “Are you perhaps a bit hungry, little one?”
To his question, the bird began to lightly flap its wings. Pure Vanilla couldn't help but chuckle.
He then walked up to the small cabinet on the balcony. From inside he grabbed a small sack of seeds and spilled a few of them on the stone railing. The small bird hopped off of his hand and began to snack on them.
Pure Vanilla leaned on the railing again and simply watched with his staff as the little blueberry bird ate the seeds with its tiny beak.
The peaceful moment didn't last for too long as an important question entered his mind.
What time is it actually?
He quickly moved towards the balcony door, coming back to his room. He looked at the wooden clock and realized just how much time had passed.
Is it already that much? It didn't feel like it at all. He must have gotten lost in his thoughts a bit too much again. He really should work on that. He is sure that one day it will bite him back.
Thankfully he noticed it soon enough this time. Black Raisin would for sure chew him up if arrived late. They had planned to meet up for lunch in the town square. Which was supposed to be happening in a few minutes.
Pure Vanilla quickly put back on his hat, swiftly walked out of his room and made his way through the castle's hall outside.
He entered the busy streets, walking through them as he occasionally greeted a few cookies or simply gave a small wave with a smile. However, he made sure not to engage in too much small talk. As much as he is happy to converse with his fellow cookies he had places to be today. Maybe he could stop by next time.
He finally made it through the market and arrived at the town square. His own statue welcoming him in the center. He slightly grimaced at the sight. It was always a bit weird to see statues of himself.
He turned his gaze from the statue and almost right away spotted the cookie he was looking for. He immediately made his way over.
“Black Raisin. It's good to see you, friend.” The cookie in black perked up, noticing him after he spoke up.
“Pure Vanilla…You're running a few minutes late. Got me a bit worried there.”
“My apologies, I simply got a bit carried away.”
He usually makes sure to be on time whenever he is meeting Black Raisin. She can get quite easily paranoid and he really doesn't wish to add her any more worries. Even though the Vanilla Kingdom is a safe place, the paranoia is something that seemed to have stuck with Black Raisin from living in the raisin village.
“What's with the formalities again? I know you're kind of the king now and all that, but there is no need to be fancy with me.” Black Raisin raised her eyebrow at him.
Pure Vanilla nervously chuckled in response. “Sorry, it's a force of habit.”
Black Raisin gave him an unimpressed look. Though he was able to catch a sight of a small smile, before her expression became serious once more.
“Alright, let's just go find a place to eat. Jampie Diner?”
At that Pure Vanilla nodded in agreement. But before they began walking, Black Raisin turned to him once more. There was a hint of stubberness in her eyes.
“Also remember, today is on me. I know you’re thinking about it, but don't even try. I'll be paying today.” She firmly stated.
Pure Vanilla wanted to try and defend himself, though as his mouth opened, it closed again. There actually wasn't much more to say about it. She was right. He would have tried to pay for both of them before she even got a chance. So he only let out a defeated huff as Black Raisen smiled victoriously.
_______
Him and Black Raisin had stopped by Jampie Diner and got themself some bear jelly burgers.
They had sat down there to enjoy their food while they conversed for a bit. He had asked Raisen about her day and also how the other raisin cookies were doing. Lately he has been a bit more busy with his duties, so he couldn't check in on the others as much as he would like. Which is why it was great to hear that they are doing good. Well, except Oatmeal Raisin Cookie, who had apparently caught a cold recently.
“I and his sister had told him multiple times to not stay outside in the cold evening for too long, but no. He just doesn't listen. Ugh, teenagers. Now since he got sick, they need some extra help in the Crow's Nest Inn. I'll have to stop by later. We might have cut our walk a bit shorter today.” Black Raisin sighed, clearly irritated.
Pure Vanilla on the other hand smiled, feeling a bit amused. “That's quite alright, friend. We still have next time. Also please let Oatmeal Raisin know that I wish him a quick recovery.
Black Raisin nodded in response, slightly easing up.
Soon they were done with their meals and paid. In the end Pure Vanilla had to actually ask at least once if Raisin was sure about paying for both of them. In return she insisted and also scolded him.
Then they went for a relaxing walk around town while they talked. At this point this had become quite the usual for them. Once in a while one of them would invite the other for lunch or dinner and afterwards, they would walk around a bit and spend some time together.
Today was no different and they slowly ventured towards the busy markets. Pure Vanilla happily looked around, checking what was being offered for the day while he listened to Black Raisin as she talked.
His eyes then landed on a pretty booth selling flowers. They showcased a big range of many different and beautiful choices. However, a certain light blueish flowers caught his attention. Suddenly, it felt like the world froze around him.
___
“I like blue hydrangeas. They remind me of your eyes.”
___
“Pure Vanilla?“
He snapped back to reality.
Black Raisin was now nudging him in the shoulder.
“... Is something wrong?” She squinted at him.
“What?” He looked at her, confused and still a bit disoriented.
She began to stare at him with even more suspicion. “You just suddenly stopped and completely zoned out. Are you feeling okay?”
“Oh! Yes, I am fine… Really, you don't have to worry about me. Anyways, sorry, what were we talking about before?”
Black Raisin didn't answer. Instead she gave him an even harder look than before. She had clearly noticed his poor attempt at redirecting the conservation. Oh boy…
“Have you been sleeping well?”
Pure Vanilla tensed, feeling caught off guard with that question.
“I- Um, I've been sleeping good…most nights.”
She raised her eyebrow at him. “Most nights?”
He hates being questioned by Black Raisin. She's stubborn and also not ashamed to interrogate him.
“Well, some nights there's a lot more on my mind and it's just harder to fall asleep. It's really not that big of a deal.” He tried to assure her.
“…Does it have to do with her?” She carefully asked.
Pure Vanilla didn't need to hear the name to know whom she was referring to. Dark Enchantress.
Truthfully, she indeed has been the topic on his mind most of these sleepless nights. There is a lot about her that plagues his thoughts. Many questions and concerns. He can't help, but ask why had White L- Dark Enchantress chosen this cruel path. Yet at the same time his head is filled with worry for what she is planning and… if he'll be able to stop it in time.
Black Raisin pulled him out of his thoughts as she spoke up.
“Look, you don't have to answer. Just… just try to take better care of yourself, okay?” As she spoke, she moved closer and put her hand on his shoulder. As if to tell him she understands and is here for him.
Pure Vanilla silently thanked her for the gesture as he smiled and nodded. He's glad to have a friend like Black Raisin.
They were about to continue their walk, but came to a stop once more.
“Ah, shucks. Sorry, we'll have to cut it short today.” Black Raisin said, when she looked over at the clock tower. “Promised Rum Raisin that I'll help out at the Inn since Oatmeal Raisin is sick.”
“That’s alright, friend. We can still continue our conservation next time.”
With that Black Raisin said her goodbyes and parted ways. Pure Vanilla watched as she slowly disappeared in the crowd of cookies.
He was about to head back to the castle, but found himself glancing back at the small flower shop. A certain blue flower getting his attention. Hydrangea.
I like blue hydrangeas. They remind me of your eyes.
What was that before? Perhaps a memory? He couldn't help, but wonder.
From time to time he still finds himself remembering things. By this point most of the memories he lost as Healer cookie already came back to him. At least the most important ones it seems.
Occasionally he still comes to remember something new. For example what Dark Cacao’s favourite tea blend is or which berry juice Hollyberry prefers for what occasion. Just small things.
So… who was that memory about? Whose eyes are like blue hydrangeas?
He had met many cookies throughout his life and blue eyes aren't necessarily a rare trait. However the way it was said felt a lot more… personal. Something he would say perhaps to a very close friend.
He once again tried to search his mind. There were a few friends from the past that had blue eyes. However, none of them were ever too close to him.
Pure Vanilla frowned. He really couldn't seem to remember who that memory was about. He was very likely just overthinking it. Afterall it was only two simple sentences. Yet something in his head told him it was more important than that.
He glanced at the flowers once more to try and see if it would help him remember. Though nothing came to his mind.
It felt frustrating.
He decided to head back to the castle. But not before he got himself a small bouquet of blue hydrangeas.