Chapter Text
Shadow Milk had tried everything.
By everything, he meant everything.
He had tried just killing Pure Vanilla, he had tried slowly fooling and manipulating him, he tried bribing, he tried every single little method he could think of to get his DAMN Soul Jam back. That was... except for one thing.
Shadow Milk had made a list of plans, not originally intending going through every single one, but not all of them were extremely thought out. He could only really do that for the first 4, maybe 5. Towards the end, he just put things down that made him giggle at the thought of actually acting them out. Unfortunately, though, after crossing Plan Y—turning Pure Vanilla into a sheep and hoping that the Soul Jam didn’t transfer onto the sheep (it did)—he had come down to his last plan that he wrote down.
Plan Z: Seduction~ ;)
Shadow Milk had seduced many a cookie before for whatever reason. Sometimes pure boredom, sometimes to get something he wanted, but it was something he was familiar with. However, this was... different.
Ever since Pure Vanilla had offered his hand in friendship to the beast, he couldn't get the thought out of his head. Why would the healer do something as laughable as that? He had nothing to gain from it. In fact, Pure Vanilla would have lost plenty had Shadow Milk taken him up on his deal! He pretended that this was all for his Soul Jam and that's why Pure Vanilla was consuming his every waking moment, but deep down, in a corner of his echoing mind he did not visit, he could feel a deep sorrow aching. It grew each and every day, a sort of... loneliness. That in the back of his mind a part of the beast wished he'd taken the other’s hand. He loathed just thinking about it.
He ignored that part too.
Shadow Milk sighed, pulled his eyelids down and looked back down at the paper. He really, really didn't want to do this.
But, what other choice did he have?
————
Shadow Milk—no, Lady Milk Crown Cookie sighed and gathered herself and took a deep breath.
You can do this. You can do this. Why is this so hard to just knock on a stupid door?!
Her hand hesitated on the large doors before the Vanillian Castle, but eventually her knocks echoed across the walls, and she twisted her face into one of great sadness and pain. One that she was quite familiar with in the trying times that Lady Milk Crown Cookie was in, and she began to wait patiently.
Pure Vanilla— with his staff in one hand— walked through one of the small hallways inside the Vanilla Castle. He had just finished tending to one of the gardens like he usually did. He enjoyed spending time with them, taking care of each and every plant properly. Every flower bloomed beautifully as ever. Doing this brought him peace after some... restless nights.
Now, he was on his way back up to his chambers, but a certain noise interrupted him in his steps. Opening his eyes, he gazed in the direction of the source of these sounds.
Knocks... Was someone at the entrance of the castle? He didn't remember expecting someone today, so it couldn’t be anyone from the Crème Republic unless it’s something important. Any of his fellow ancient heroes? They usually send a letter before their arrival. Well… Hollyberry sometimes didn’t. She paid him unannounced visits a few times in the past, but he had heard that lately, the Hollyberry Kingdom was having a few celebrations, so she must be occupied with that... Was it Black Raisin Cookie? Or perhaps GingerBrave and his friends? Maybe he had some news from their kingdom. He would be more than happy to hear them.
Pure Vanilla made his way to the doors. Once there, with a hand he opened one of the gates. It wasn't either of his friends or... anyone he had ever seen here in the kingdom. It was a lady. She wore a dress, half of it black and the other half blue; she had long puffed sleeves and a soft blue cloak tied in a knot around her neck. Her hair was long but well arranged with a blue bow to complement. Clearly, he had never seen this cookie around here. However, his attention was quickly taken away after seeing the cookie’s expression. She seemed worried. Had something happened to her that led her here at the doors of his castle?
"Oh, greetings. Is there anything I can help you with?"
Shadow Milk began to panic internally. He didn't think he'd get this far.
Lady Milk Crown looked at the cookie in front of her, her eyes wet and her face long. "My home has been taken from me not too far from your very kingdom, and I do not have anywhere to stay nor any food to eat." Shadow Milk knew he wouldn't have to ask to stay. The fool would offer it. Even if he himself was starving. Idiot.
Pure Vanilla's expression shifted from concern to one of surprise after hearing such words coming from the lady. What kind of cruelty could cookies come to do such things?
But questions would be asked later. Plus, he didn't want to upset the cookie further by prying about the horrible situation she’s in. For now, he needed to assist in what he could. "Please, come inside." He opened the door enough to make way for the lady to come in.
Lady Milk Crown's eyes widened, and she smiled softly. "Really? You are a truly kind king, Pure Vanilla. I cannot express my gratitude."
Gratitude, shmatitude. Shadow Milk would have puked. The words felt like acid on his tongue, but this was a last resort for a reason. And dammit he was going to get that Soul Jam even if it was the last thing he did.
Lady Milk Crown bowed quickly and paced through the doors of the castle. She would admit, the garden that surrounded everything was quite impressive. The castle was towering yet inviting, a warmth radiating from it as the sun shone against the yellow ridges carved into its walls.
Shadow Milk felt strange for a moment. Comfort? No, that couldn't be right. He needed to focus. He couldn't get comfortable.
The sound of the door closing rumbled softly, and Pure Vanilla approached the cookie in front of him. "I'm very sorry this happened to you. If you could, please follow me. I'll try helping you as much as I can." He was sure he could give this cookie a place to stay here in the castle while they found a solution to this problem.
He began walking through the main hall with the lady beside him, both of their footsteps echoing faintly through the quiet walls. Not many cookies of the staff were in the castle that day, but the kitchen surely would be ready with food that he could provide. They always left everything in order before leaving.
"May I ask what your name is?" The ancient asked as he turned his head in the lady's direction.
"My name is Lady Milk Crown," she said softly, "it is a pleasure to meet you in person. And truly, a roof over my head is already plenty."
It had been a millennia since Shadow Milk had pulled out the "polite" voice. He liked to think Lady Milk Crown was normally outspoken and loud, but for now he'd have to deal with a more timid version of her.
"You know, it is really lonely in this castle." She coughed, her voice becoming more like the beast’s, but she recovered quickly. "Is it normally this empty?"
The healer was almost taken aback by the sudden cough, although he did notice that small change in her voice...
He couldn't think much about it as the woman asked another question.
"Oh, no." A small laugh came from him. "The other cookies are usually busy and around these halls, but sometimes they go out to spend some time away with their families, and today is no exception." He explained with a smile on his face. "Most of the staff have taken the day off today, but there should be a few cookies who are willing to help with anything here."
He kept his gaze on Lady Milk Crown, but the more he looked at her, the more he noticed a few things. A feeling of familiarity with this cookie... and those eyes. Mismatched; a bright cyan and the other blue. Hadn't he seen them somewhere else before?
A feeling in his chest made him question if there could be something more to this situation that he was not aware of, but he wasn't sure. He didn't give the idea much thought.
Feeling the healer's gaze on her, she tried to... enhance her appearance slightly. Just a little so it wasn't noticeable to the naked eye, but the mind would. Her eyes became a little brighter, her hair a little softer, things like that.
Okay, this can work! This can work!
She smiled softly at Pure Vanilla, trying to hide a grimace in it. "I won't need much, perhaps a room would be helpful? I don't believe I've slept in a bed in days." That part was actually true. Shadow Milk, Black Sapphire and Candy Apple had been sleeping mostly on the floor in an abandoned tent they had found near where the Spire had collapsed. His back ached, and this was also a chance to maybe... wreck up a room a little bit. Just for funsies.
The ancient hummed softly in thought. "I'm sure there's a room or two where you can stay. It shouldn't be far from here." He turned his head, facing forward once again.
Going up a stairwell, he made sure Lady Milk Crown followed behind him. This part of the castle could be a little confusing... They were now walking through small, different corridors with some doors on each side. Doors that led to rooms that were taken by other cookies in the Vanilla Castle.
After turning one corner to the left, Pure Vanilla stopped in front of one room, opening the door for Lady Milk Crown.
"This will be your room. Please, make yourself at home." Inside, the walls were patterned and painted with different tones of yellows. The bed looked soft at first sight, with orange pillows near the wooden headboard. The sheets were a cream yellow and violet blanket folded at the edge of the mattress, matching the bed hangings. Small night tables with lamps were on each side. A golden carpet was displayed on the floor, and the sun illuminated the whole room warmly through the window.
Truly, that horrendous tent the beast was residing in was nothing compared to this. That he would admit.
"You're welcome to stay for as long as you need." Pure Vanilla spoke with a warm smile. "If you ever need me, my quarters are just a few halls away. The staff is always willing to help with anything as well, so please, don’t be afraid to ask me or them.”
Lady Milk Crown nodded and smiled just once more. "Thank you so much for your kindness, Pure Vanilla Cookie." She walked in and closed the door. The kind smile on her lips dropped instantly. She sighed.
Eugh.
All this kindness, gratitude, and supposedly “vulnerability” he was having to show in front of Pure Vanilla made him feel sick. That was not him. The way the healer’s eyes had looked at him with pity... One of the many things he despised. But it was all part of his act, and that fool had already fallen for his game. Lady Milk Crown Cookie, a poor damsel in distress, and in need of aid! Oh, but the kindest, the most compassionate of all cookies on Earthbread, Pure Vanilla Cookie, came to help! Let her into his castle, giving her a place to stay. Foolish, simply foolish!
But this certainly was entertaining. Shadow Milk smirked.
It was only a matter of time and then he could strike.
The Soul Jam would be back in his hands, just like before.
His cane appeared in his hand, and with one tap to the floor, he promptly made the room something more than reflective yellows and whites. Turning it much more suitable to the beast's tastes! And less like the other cookie. Almost everything in this place was about him. Now, where was the fun in that? Well, it was about time for some changes.
Once each nook and cranny had been transformed, Shadow Milk stretched and laid down on the upside-down bed. Seduction could wait a little bit longer, he needed to take a nap.
However, he reminded himself, he needs to do this quickly. Not because a clock was ticking down or anything, moreso just because he was very impatient.
Night night, he said to himself, don't let the Pure Vanilla bite...