Chapter Text
Icy winds battered down around the isolated cookie, hands fisting the fabric of his clothes in an attempt to seek warmth. Affogato Cookie brushed his smooth brown and white hair back to see clearer. Even with his gloves, his hands still felt horribly numb, the cold biting at his dough. As he walked he mumbled curses below his breath. The kingdom doesn't know what they're missing. They'll all suffer without me, he thought to himself, his ego revelling in it.
He watched as snow coloured birds fluttered past, cooing loudly. They seemed unbothered by the battering gales. Affogato Cookie reached out a hand, allowing one to land on it. He smiled as it did so and cocked its head when he reached down to pet it. "Pretty thing aren't you?" he complimented, admiring its feathers. It twittered in his hands happily, nuzzling into his palm.
He whispered something into its ear and not before long its eyes went a shade of purple and it nodded. He watched it fly away into the night sky and prayed silently it would do its job correctly. He had old friends. And a few favours needed repaying up his sleeve. Many moons ago he knew of a 'Fount of Knowledge', one who resided in the hidden lands of Beast-Yeast. Many now knew of him as the infamous Shadow Milk Cookie, Beast of Deceit. It had been far too long since his last visit to the trickster's domain and he decided ultimately that this was his safest option.
It wasn't as if they had ended on bad terms, far from it actually. Affogato Cookie had explained to the cookie his ambition for the throne, and Shadow Milk had offered his utmost support and assurance that his home would always be open to him if he wished to return. Up until now, he had not had any reason to return. But now? It was the correct choice.
Soon enough the bird returned, with a cream coloured letter with a blue wax seal on it that took the shape of the Beast's soul jam. Affogato Cookie bowed his head to the nimble creature in thanks and watched it fly away. As soon as it was out of sight, he opened the letter and read it before discarding it into the snow. Suddenly a twinkling beam of azure magic rose from the paper and when it ceased it left an eye-shaped portal before him. A light-blue hand fought its way through the portal and a body followed soon after. Shadow Milk Cookie popped out of the portal, landing with a graceful flourish in the snow.
"Old friend!" He cackled, bouncing forward, "Long time no see! How's my favourite cookie! Hah! I jest, you're not my favourite," he spun the belligerent cookie around and giggled.
"How humbling," he replied, fixing his clothes after the twirl, "Can you hurry? I do not wish to stand out here any longer and let my dough freeze, though if that is what your little heart desires, then be my guest."
"A please would be rather nice my dear friend. After all you wish to enter my realm!" Shadow Milk Cookie grinned, adjusting Affogato Cookie's collar, "Besides, I am not cold."
"If we stand out here any longer you will be cold. Now may we please leave?"
"Very well."
With a leap, the jester guided them through the vortex and Affogato Cookie felt woozy, as if the flour he was baked with was being re-ordered. He did not typically travel via teleportation. He was old-fashioned like that. Shadow Milk Cookie on the other hand laughed merrily, clapping his hands as they travelled through the wormhole.
Eventually they reached his domain, and the two landed gracefully. Dusting himself off for what felt like the third time today, he looked around. The landscape had not changed much, save for a couple of buildings dotted here and there that had been refurbished, knocked down or built. The night sky was alight with eye-like stars and towers and spires grew into the sky, reaching far beyond the clouds. He spoke softly, "I have missed this."
Shadow Milk Cookie turned to him, "They missed you too. And though I'd never say it out loud to anyone else, I did as well. Come, Black Sapphire Cookie is waiting atop the spire."
"You forget that I do not possess the ability to fly."
"Hmph," he crossed his arms to think for a moment, "Fine! Take my hand," he offered. Affogato took it thankfully and let out a loud yelp as the cookie abruptly took off, grip tightening. He felt himself shift towards him, making sure he didn't fall. In his time living in the citadel, he had almost forgotten the feeling of flying. "Careful! If you drop me there will be hell to pay!" he threatened, waving his staff around to accentuate his point. He kept his eyes sealed completely shut.
"Oh live a little!" Shadow Milk Cookie cackled, "Look! Look at what's infront of ya!"
Affogato Cookie looked up hesitantly, and immediately he was dazzled. The spire was made out of marble, tinted slightly pale blue. Gold accents lined the walls and details and eye patterns were engraved in the marble. Navy blue garlands hung from the ceiling and the statement piece of the entire building was a giant eye, encrusted with a golden border. It looked like a tube of glitter with the way the moonlight hit it. As they neared, he spotted Black Sapphire Cookie, waving at them with a wide grin on his face. Beside him at a lower height stood Candy Apple Cookie with a pout.
Once again they landed and he was relieved to feel the ground beneath his feet again
"Master Shadow Milk Cookie!" Candy Apple squeaked out, "Who is this?"
Shadow Milk Cookie nodded towards him and allowed him to speak for himself.
"I am Affogato Cookie, once a cookie from the Coffee Tribe and once an advisor from the Cacao Citadel. I had attempted for the throne although I did fail in such. I do not support the king and the things he preaches; I do not serve him any longer. Do not mistake me for one of his subjects," he finished his speech with a bow as he thought it was only right.
"I cannot believe you don't know who he is you idiot!" Black Sapphire Cookie sniggered, hitting the white-haired cookie over the head.
"Shut up!" She whined angrily, before disappearing into a cloud of smoke.
Shadow Milk shook his head in disappointment, before dismissing Black Sapphire as well with a click of his fingers. "I am sorry about them, truly," he sighed, letting his shoulders slump. Admittedly Affogato had not realised that he had previously been so, how should he put it, anxious. He put a gloved hand on his shoulder, "Are you okay dear friend? There seems to be something troubling you, which is not usual."
The jester found his hand and held it, "Pay no mind. I am just tired s'all."
"Do not take me for a fool. There is something else bothering you. I lend my ears to your worries."
He looked around for a moment, "Okay. But follow me."
And so he followed him down the hall, and he was more than happy when he felt the darkness swallow him.