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Chapter Text

“Sugarfly cookie?” called a young voice, which did not belong to the forest that moated the once paradise of sloth, his wings twisted to keep him above the sharp and sour sugar grass. The essence that powered his existence and oiled his appendages slowly wore; the flutters of an innocent butterfly now aged to the rusted squeals of old oven hinges far from their laconic prime. He was always annoyed at Sugarfly’s behavior, he never understood her or her residence, perhaps it was the difference between a denizen and a loyal servant, she had not earned the status of obedient bee, but the answer made itself apparent for she was a fly, indulging herself in the riches of paradise gluttonously.

It was every cookie’s right, to be tendered to, it only frustrated him that she was so proactive and empathetic, she was given everything and yet she prevailed to do the job of a servant for him. All cookies embraced the sloth, all who decided their service was to be serviced, all except her, and those wings. They were far too bright, they were far too heavy, she walked clumsily, his essence struggled when he saw the anchored angel… and now he felt the need to find and return her, perhaps because it was more comfortable than staying in the ruins of an obsessed lady who turned many into sugar statues; she was in no state to be spoken, or to be tendered, so he decided to make himself useful.

His thoughts were interrupted by the rustling of the lime sourbelts, freckles of sugar dropping from the long strap; Pavlova cookie thought it were to be a beast which had caught his sweet scent, so he used his functional wings to fly to the high branches of thick rollcakes. There was no noise from the sour beast, but there was a voice

“Tigerlily Cookie? Queen Mother invites you to the celebration!”, the cinnamon tanned cookie growled a deep sigh, her head faced down to the sharp grass which crunched under her golden soles

“I hope by the witches you are not picking more sourberries… we haven’t the time to play!”, her voice was pompous and sickening, it made Pavlova scoff… if only he hadn’t.

The one thing she learnt from sparring (and gambling) was attentiveness; what your adversary does defines what they will do, where her duelists will often practice a movement, she had studied and anticipated. The way the dough shifts, the stance changes, or the gloss in their frosty eyes; as House Raspberry’s proudest duelist she was always aware the moment the situation changed. Pavlova panicked as the honorable marauder from the Hollyberry kingdom pointed the sharpened candy cane epee towards him, instinctually his wings fluttered out and scraped against the logs, flinching forwards and falling with a wail of confusion and injury.

Raspberry Cookie did not rush, she walked slowly and rested the side of her blade to keep him anchored without needing to put her weight on him; the epee was made for stabbing, but he did not know that.

“W…Wuaahhhh!! I’m sorry I’m sorry I’m sorry I’m sorry-!” he repeated, he felt so weak, even when he wasn’t around Eternal Sugar it felt as if anyone who had tried enough could make him terrified; everyone who did felt like her. Raspberry Cookie figured such insecurities, so kept her confidence while she questioned, while also assuring his health

“You will not be harmed, I only wish to know the location of a cookie and her butter tiger, I’m sure you’re familiar enough.”, the smaller cookie quickly succeeded, stuttering

“I—I am sure I saw her climb the berry tree! Th…the path is crumbled, b…but I’m sure you’ll get to her!”, The Duelist hmph’d, she knew as much but the assurance was much welcomed, especially from an adversary she had fell without striking.

“My word is my bond, and you played your part… I bid you well.” Before marching off, this armed fool had humiliated him, but she could prove useful for his search and rescue

“W…wait!! Wait!! O’ merciful one!” He called, the irony of Raspberry Cookie sighing from such pretentious Gooseberry Foylian Poetry, if only she knew Shakespearian.

Her shoulders sunk, the tassels of epaulettes dancing; turning her head to Pavlova Cookie her hand laid photogenically on her side

“Please, make whatever you say quick, I hate making Queen Mother wait… and I especially hate waiting.”, Pavlova Cookie, still with the drive to return Sugarfly back to the garden—even in its most dire disrepair state, asked lightly

“D…did you see Sugarfly Cookie? I thought she ran away with all of you…”, Raspberry Cookie shook her head, ambiguating her answer through nonspecific statements

“She, like many other of the responsible cookies who were broken from the spell realized they didn’t want to be there anymore and left. She may have come the same direction as us, but she is far in her own way.”, Raspberry Cookie with one foot turned back; Pavlova Cookie wasn’t happy with the non-answer, it got him nowhere… he had to know more

“W…wait!! C…can I come with youu?”, the professional stature of the House Raspberry Representative started to wane with all the stretching of this conversation, but she still decided to be the “O’ Merciful”.

“And why do you? Why would I let you?”, the hollow Pavlova shook his head and prayed, ruffling his hair for a more ‘scrawny dough’ appeal towards his figure.

“I…I want to be free!! Y’know… it’d be like enemies becoming looovers! But… friends! The spell must’ve broken on me too… so I wanna get out while I still can!”, Raspberry Cookie was unamused by the pleads, he didn’t look any different, so she didn’t understand what sort of freedom this monster cakerug had.

“Yeaaaaaaaah… what’s your real reason? If I don’t believe you I’m going to go and you can find your own way out with all the sour beasts.”, Pavlova Cookie gasped at the mention, every good lie had an ounce of truth; it’s why everyone stayed for their “one true desire”. Pavlova Cookie thought carefully on his words, on what truth he could use to make her believe that he really did want to leave, and there was one; his voice whispered, as if someone could hear him

“I’m… afraid… of Eternal Sugar Cookie… I’ve always been so curious on the… outside world so… I left a lot… ohh but I heard it was so special!! Is it??”, the Raspberry Duelist was left stunned at the reasoning, and his questioning certainly caught her off guard

“…Yes, it is, Queen Mother has a home far away… perhaps you would be safe there.” As she folded her arms, in spite of the kind offer her face was stern, expecting some sort of double crossing down the line; she was already planning who to have watch over him when she was not around. The ‘scrawny dough’ Cookie gasped in glee and excitement, fluttering up a few millimeters (about a few inches to scale) off the ground

“Oh yayy! I won’t despair, I swear!”.

He had to admit that some of it was genuine, as his lie was built upon another truth that didn’t really relate to why, he still was out seeking Sugarfly Cookie, but he couldn’t help but be excited about the new opportunities to see more than La Vie En Rose. Raspberry Cookie, worn by the ecstatic nature only waved her hand along for the miscreant shipper to follow her lead. Pavlova Cookie hovered behind The Duelist, who hopped over and made effort to progress forwards, in contrast to Pavlova Cookie’s in flying ever-so-higher to get to his destination; she did not see it but it certainly annoyed her that the only struggle she heard was her own.

After a few minutes worth of walking (and lazily floating behind), Raspberry Cookie and Pavlova Cookie saw the reckless behavior of those in control; decorations and pillars fallen, crushing Sugar Statues which had toppled over. The granules dusted the bitter green, Raspberry Cookie couldn’t help but break the confidence to mourn if not only for a moment to those who already had a permanent fate, now would have one forgotten with the decimation of any recognizable features.

“I hope for your essence you really mean to change…” gently moving past all the bits of sugar, as if only a fragment would help their individual be recognized. In some strange reasoning, Pavlova Cookie decided to lift her up a bit, his dough was still small thanks to circumstances but he tried desperately to lift her up and above the fallen Cookies; Raspberry Cookie was most shocked

“Wh—what in the witches are you doing?!”, her feet kicked back, forgetting he was a whole few centimeters or so shorter than her. Pavlova Cookie wanted to say it was for some selfless reason, but he was far too distracted by fears he had been struck with many times before; it was for his sake, and his sake alone. Him lifting Raspberry Cookie was just mutually beneficial. With determination only older sons may know, Pavlova Cookie dropped her to the ground, folding his arms and giving a lagged response

“I just thought it would be beneficial… since we’re almost there…”, The Sparrer was very much aware that the reason was much more than that, but prying isn’t exactly the most cordial to thing when you have guests around. Sticking her Epee into the gummied ground and resting her elbow upon the hilt’s end, she bowed her head in appreciation

“Well, I am grateful, thank you.” Pavlova Cookie bowed his head backwards, it was awfully quiet for those few moments; Raspberry Cookie was tired, Pavlova Cookie was grateful for the momentary peace. He did not feel the grass on the bottom of his dough like the stretched figure had, but part of the wait to see Sugarfly Cookie again and bring her home where they belonged started to wear as he saw what he was bringing her back to. She was a little foolish, and too gullible and kind, letting these cookies swoon her away from him—from the paradise that gave everyone everything, while he may have not been happy about her wish, he was still happy she had what she wanted; but somewhere amidst the carrying of the Marauder over his environmental shackle, to see the result of the Cookies who decided to disobey, and how that result was tarnished by another result (that of which being their giver of sloth) grimed his mind with dread. He was frustrated with this rebellious phase from her, but also didn’t want to bring her—

“Paavvvlova Cookie? I’mmm not only here to take you to the Hollyberry Kingdom—I still must find Tiger Lily Cookie and invite her to the celebration!”, with a conditioned loyalty his head turned attentively to Raspberry Cookie, nodding

“Yyes! Yes… we are just up ahead…”. He didn’t dare take the lead. He followed, he listened, he served. Raspberry Cookie unveiled a handkerchief and wiped the point of her blade, clearing all of the rockyroad that laid under the surface of the sweet watermelon grass. She slid the blade back into it’s comfortable holster, and continued on with their journey

“The sooner we get to Tiger Lily Cookie the sooner we’re out of here, let’s try not to spend anymore time resting.”, Pavlova Cookie nodded and hovered behind, he never needed to rest, he just needed to think and be alone with company.

Finally, they arrived to the tree, where Pavlova Cookie saw the strange blue fruits… strange… usually they were green. While Raspberry called from the bottom of the tree, Pavlova Cookie inspected the strange fruit… It was sour. Very sour. Perhaps it had to do with the Azure cookie that he saw picking the fruit, but why would they do that? It seemed strange, somebody powerful would certainly have to be behind it…

“So you HAVE been dispelled, then…”, Pavlova Cookie gasped, turning to the voice and clutching his bow tight, as if it’d slow down him being turned into the Statue… something was awfully off when he wasn’t, he realized his senses were off, it must’ve been all of the thinking about Eternal Sugar.

“Y…yeah… I thought I told you…”, Raspberry Cookie impaled one of the fruits, the sour gooey blueberry center melted through the brittle melon grass. Lifting it up to herself, she twisted her Epee to inspect all angles of the diluted fruits of pain

“You did, the fruits just confirmed it… why do you have these here anyways? It seems a little silly having these out in the open… I would’ve imagined cookies have come to take one bit and be dispelled…”, Pavlova Cookie looked worriedly at the fruit, perhaps they had a saboteur give the fruits disenchanting powers, yet the Azure Cookie looked nothing like one of the Hollyberrys… it was something that may have concerned them both.

“The fruits didn’t… do that before… did… you send a Cookie… to do that? I… I saw one! They were b…blue, and Eternal Sugar Cookie wasn’t too happy to hear about them… w…was that one of yours?”, Raspberry Cookie seemed absolutely confounded by the response, were they just lucky? Who else would want to help them, better yet; who had the power? This would be all brought up with Queen Mother soon.

“…We have blueberry cookies, but we don’t usually practice magic… Or at least house Raspberry—” Her hand struck her chest as she proudly proclaimed

“No Raspberry Cookie needs the help of some gimmick!”, Pavlova Cookie was a bit disinterested at her sense of pride, which she sensed, and didn’t like; bobbling her head a bit she muttered

“But… I will bring it up with Queen Mother… she’ll know.”, while they talked, Tiger Lily finally fell down from the tree, Butter Tiger shaking the painful senses off her while the Cookie herself rubbed her head. Raspberry Cookie, in comfortable company shouted

“HEY! TIGER LILY COOKIE!”, Tiger Lily Cookie snapped her head, her stance swapping to defensive; Raspberry Cookie almost felt jealous

“Cookie! Party… why is you here?”, Raspberry Cookie tensed her forehead, then put her hands to the side of her frosted lips

“Queen Mother invites you to the Party!”

“Again? Cookie invited me… before. Tiger Lily wanted berry.”, Raspberry Cookie’s hands dropped, and Pavlova Cookie furrowed a brow

“Oh.” The professional one thought aloud, the shipper internally

“Well, that was a waste of time.”

Within the heart of the most sugarcoated demon, a succuba awoke. She stretched and fanned her mouth with the weakest motion, achieving more than absolutely nothing.

“Oh Pavlova, I had the most astonishing dream… my dearest… she came back and she changed her mind… she realized how cruel the world was… and how good I was to her… Ohh she held unto me so dearly… such a brave soul clinging unto me… could you imagine~?”… nothing. She called out his name again, then again, dreading as she straightened up and her anjellic bears fixed her hair for her… Ah. Off he ran away again. She shook her head and rolled her eyes, it was yet another one of those days.

“I suppose you cannot expect much from Cookies these days…~”

Chapter Text

How disappointing. All that walking, and that terrible reminder of the fate he and others were subject to if they didn’t comply… All for her to have already been invited. Pavlova Cookie used his wings, but not to great effect. They were no longer on the continent of Beast Yeast, they were already flying towards Crispia upon a flying contraption with a Bear Jelly as a massive balloon allegedly holding their weight and moving towards the mainland. There was a bird at the helm, he thought it was a little strange, something felt a little redundant about a flying creature flying a contraption for things that can’t fly; he supposed it was lighter than another cookie.

“Do you think anybody can fly without a balloon…?”, The Duelist and Caretaker looked towards Pavlova Cookie and his strange question, she shrugged; remarking

“We tried using boats once, made with Biscoff and Frosting and a caramel coating to make sure the entire thing didn’t soak; according to some of the Cookies we found the weather turned bad and flipped the boats over, a lot of them were soaked and sunk.”. Needless to say, Pavlova Cookie was distraught hearing it, it was so macabre… but it also gave him comfort where he flew, but it did give him another question

“W…well why did you keep trying? Even when it went wrong… wh…why did you try and go somewhere new? Aren’t you happy in your paradise?”, it was certainly an interesting question, from any other Cookie it would seem silly and depressing (which it still was), but with the argument given, she decided to make sure that he really understood.

“Of course! I am proud of my home, I am happy, and comfortable, and sometimes I… fear, when I leave… but I don’t let that stop me from experiencing earthbread. I’ve travelled many of meters, I’ve learnt, gained, and lost, and I wouldn’t ever have even had those experiences if I stayed in my beloved home.” The Fervent Hollyberrian leaned on the basket’s lip, arms stretched the length—almost touching the twizzler cords that connected the balloon to the basket, Raspberry Cookie decided that her ramble was getting too nonsensical

"What I am trying to say is, if I don’t push myself, I can never learn, I never have the chance to get to love, or hate something, some…one, I will begin to crumble from the apathy.”, Pavlova Cookie didn’t truly understand, partly because she literally, wasn’t making any sense, but also because parts of him was uncomfortable with what she said. He didn’t do any of those things! For a long time! And he was fine, he had a place in the world, he felt useful, he felt like his service was required, he was a good working bee! Perhaps it was something that every cookie preferred instead of something baked into them. Pavlova Cookie felt at the curves of his delicately defined frosting locks, noddig

“A lot of lover stories come from two people from different breads hating eachother… then at the end falling in love with each other soo… I guesss that makes sense…”, Raspberry Cookie was a little displeased with his desire to make the idea romantic, things did not need to be romantic to be interesting… but everyone had their way of understanding things, ways she didn’t really understand but in some strange way it helped him see. They were frequently quiet, it was natural given one was an accessory of Queen Mother’s capture, and the other took away Sugarfly Cookie from him.

After a long ride, of which took a few hours of commute; they had finally landed… they were in the middle of nowhere, only near a coast as Raspberry Cookie gave coins to the cheese bird, who quickly departed. There was a landing pad here, but he had no idea why; was this all the Hollyberry Kingdom was? It was no kingdom, it only had trees and grass and a beach! What sort of kingdom had no castle? While he pondered, Raspberry Cookie was making herself useful by pushing a canoe to shore.

“Pavlova Cookie!”, the vagrant servant turned quickly to what acted as his new master until he could find the cookie he was searching for. One foot of the Duelist was on the ginger vessel, the other slightly sank into the brown sugar from all the weight; she waved him over and jumped up slightly to base herself in the boat. Pavlova Cookie floated over, and reached for the oar—just for the supposed new master to take it herself and push the vessel into the Hollyberrian Channels, he lagged behind since he was floating in the air.

Why did she do that? He could’ve done that for her, but she decided to do it herself… A whistle from behind him (as he was facing the brown sugar shores) caught his attention, turning over to see Raspberry Cookie waiting for him, even if he was probably able to float the length.

“Are you on board or hovering?”

“…U..uh… on board!”, the little cookie levitated ahead to meet with her, sitting where he was originally floating upon. He let his wings rest and stared at her while she rowed.
“…Whyy did you take the oar? II thought you would’ve wanted a… break!”, Raspberry Cookie stopped rowing for a moment, if not to laugh at the investigative skills of this Cookie
“You like asking a lot of questions, don’t you?”, the smaller dough frowned a little; his curiosity was being questioned, being… threatened. He knew it was a stupid idea to ask so many questions, his only ticket to Sugarfly Cookie was slowly thrifting away from his selfishness! He-

“Well, I find it nice to row… there are a few… let’s say crumb of the cake islands inbetween, there are Duraneers sometimes but the Hollyberrian Might has crumbled the age of piracy… it’s also much cheaper to be transported outside of the kingdom so the boat is quite necessary—”, the young Cookie listened in awe, not for the contents of her words but the kindness it represented; even though she actively antagonized him she was still kind enough to answer, if she ever antagonized him at all. Of course, all things came with a price, his one was a question for him.

“I… am sorry to ask, but, may I know why you keep asking these questions?”, admittedly Pavlova Cookie wasn’t exactly sure, or didn’t want to confront why he was so curious. He gave his favorite answer to the kind cookie

“W…well! I just want to learn more about the world! I…if I am going to stay for a bit…” and eventually leave… but that part he omitted. He was sure he’d be a blip that would be forgotten as an odd occurrence, or a nice little friend to have around before he went on his way. Raspberry Cookie caressed her well shaven chin (even if she didn’t need to shave), she doubted the reason heavily, but still took the light approach.

“I’m not sure exactly how asking why I took the oar explains a lot about the world, but we all have our questions, and we all have our reasons!”, it seemed Pavlova Cookie took the hint and puffed, he clutched his bow, a very evocative part of his home. He spoke instead of what he thought was right, regardless of how he felt.

“…I’m not really… used to asking questions… III don’t get to ask a lot… but that’s okay! Asking questions is bad! You know what you know, and youuu do it! Like love! Love is allll powerful, so you let it guide you! If you try to take control of it… you lose it!”, something about her general behavior changed, she understood the first half… and she wasn’t fond of the other half. Raspberry Cookie shook her head, denying his beliefs outright.

“Love is all about control! You may not control your partner, but you must control parts of it; what you’re comfortable with, what are the limits, if you can’t control your relationship, you let scenarios happen that you don’t like—and that isn’t a relationship that’s giving and being taken!”, whether she had a point or not, Pavlova Cookie shut down and obeyed her input; his face crumbling under the pressure that was so suddenly

“You’re right… I…I guess I didn’t see that way!”, his head bowed servantly, the preacher of Godspell was disturbed by the behavior, but made no comment nor no takebacks; Pavlova Cookie was just happy that he was able to defuse the situation in his eyes. The two, yet again, commuted in silence; they both had much to think about about the other, and Pavlova had much to think on his journey. The Cookies here will not love him, and it’s better that way since he never intended to love them, but it would be the first time the world would be so honest about how much it hates him instead of him having to guess all the time. Raspberry Cookie wasn’t sure how to tackle this battle, of which she had to lose; it was always understanding the strategy, and countering by using its vulnerabilities, this time she had to understand the mind, and play to its fault, so then she could help it recover. For sure, he was accessory to the kidnapping of Queen Mother, but all Cookies conditioned by the Demon of Paradise should be considered with kindness, including him. At the same time, she couldn’t help the sensation she was playing into a game of usage and disposal: to be used not as a wrench, but an action of, and disregarded. As they arrived to the much more defined ports of the Hollyberry Kingdom, she faced Pavlova Cookie and spoke softly.

“…I do not know a lot about love, I’ve had many Cookies hurt by it, Cookies who didn’t… set limits. But I believe that is only one side of the proverbial jelly jar… of which is the labels of all the additives and the allergens… instead of looking at the other side of the label that consists of the—” She pulled her head back and let her shut eyes stare at the sun, frustrated at her incapability to explain it in her own unique way.

“One side of the coin. I’m sure you’ve heard of that.”, Pavlova fluttered his wings at a softer rhythm and clutched his bow; he was confused about the entire thing, so he had to slow down rebase himself to understand what she was doing.

“…y…yeah! I think I heard it once or twice… in a shipping discourse! V…very… uhm… esoteric!”, Raspberry Cookie stepped unto the docks and murmured to herself

“Very esoteric my flatside…”, Pavlova Cookie followed behind nervously…

hello, world!

Unlike the Paradise Lost, which was serene and quiet, the Hollyberry Kingdom’s scent was overwhelming with life, although the lazy utopia had still life in its décor (in perhaps the most morbid sense of literalness); it never felt truly alive. Cookies and Biscuit Creatures trotted with loud fervor, they were content with the lives they had in spite of the struggle that was there living their every moment; they laughed, they sung, and danced with one another without a sense of humility of fragility in spite of the harsh world that surrounded and was likely deeply injected into their dearest civilization.

He would often find himself bumping into others, he’d apologize profusely, and he was unrecognized, like it didn’t really matter what he did. A lot of stress was taken off of him, so did a lot of futility.  But he was here for one reason, it didn’t really matter; he was intending to leave as soon as possible, the moment he found out where Sugarfly Cookie was. Finally, they stood in front of the castle of the “Queen Mother”. A Hollyberrian Soldier stood strong with his spear, staring at the two. Raspberry Cookie cleaned her feet under a mat with a corny quote and the Hollyberrian Crown; it was a gift from some distant Kingdom a while ago and they didn’t want to put it to waste. Pavlova Cookie floated over the mat, as the guard cleared his throat and took the younger Cookie’s attention away from the entrance and towards the guard.

“He’s self-conscious about his height,” spoke Raspberry Cookie, which was a terrible excuse that was seen right through

“We all have to clean our feet in the presence of the Queen Mother.”

“On the couch again?”

 “…”, The guard stepped backwards and turned his head down, Pavlova Cookie floated inwards without having to clean his feet. Raspberry Cookie stepped towards the soldier, feeling inside her jacket and giving him a pouch of gold

“You’d do good to take him to the bathhouse and the juicery… find someone to take over while you take control of the troubles.”, the Cookie nodded his head and mouthed a thank you, too humiliated to be offered such kindness and be vocal of it.  

Pavlova Cookie stared in awe at the immaculate design of the Hollyberrian Quarters, a wide and liberal ball with open-ended interiors, where each room folds into the next through corners with glossy arcs and pillars; history immortalized in fragile canvases bred for years with oils, study and wash to make a singular piece that represented the pride of Queen Mother and her people. It was charactered, not the kitsch utopic fields with pillars that stood on their own blissfully without purpose, each segment was designed to collaborate with the next; unifying to make the most “For the Cookies” home he could ever imagine.

“This way,” distracted Raspberry Cookie, his inspection of another Cookie’s home forgotten for his true purpose. He thought for just a moment

“maybe I’ll be happy here for a while…”, when his hopes were disproven. He noticed as Hollyberrian soldiers looked at him, some angry, some afraid, some confused, many confused. The atmosphere never changed, it was only recognized, it was not hostile, for it was not in their nature to savagely deter Cookies who wished to change, but it was confusion, and loss; he couldn’t help but feel the same. They were all terrified of one another, the idea of this indolent fiend who kidnapped Queen Mother being guided by their second most loyal, the prospect of being surrounded by Cookies who did not love or even need him, the fear that all of this would be for nothing, there was no brave heart in that Castle, only Pokered Faces.

Raspberry Cookie was the fittest of them all, professionalism was her forte, so she did not struggle… for the most part. Many had asked for forgiveness, none with this grave of a guilt to forgive; she was much less combative than she hoped to be, having to invest in the mercurial heart of the so-called Penitent Cookie.

As they waltzed in their game and set foot in the garden, Raspberry Cookie decided to begin her investment in the strange Cookie’s essence, picking delicately.

“How was it? Serving Eternal Sugar Cookie?”, Pavlova Cookie held his bow tight and hung his head; bobbling it like a jostled car accessory.

“Y…yeah… it was good…”, knowing his behavior, she figured this was a lie, he couldn’t help but lie… she had a reasoning on what might cause him to, but it felt a little morbid for a beast which prided herself on sloth and bliss, then again, there was always how she treated Hollyberry.

“…It’s alright if you don’t want to talk about it, Pavlova Cookie… I’m sure you have a lot of memories with her that… you want to keep close.”, Pavlova Cookie, given the grapevine from the Raspberry Duelist without thinking of the implications hurriedly nodded

“Y…yeah! It makes me homesick… I… I wanna look forwards!”. Her theories were based purely on conjecture, but with each prod and controlled question she felt more concerned with the deceitful Cookie. He was likely aspiring for something else, at first, she thought it was for Eternal Sugar Cookie, but now with how he behaves when discussing her she can’t help but feel that he might be searching for support (which, technically, was true). She did this all while walking autonomously, she was a professional at this, many of her legionnaires had internal issues which she dealt with, that she felt responsible for, so she walked the fine walk and fought the hard thoughts. She planned, she thought, she succeeded. Her golden shoes came to a hard halt, and her right foot stomped, catching the attention of the Ditzy Pavlova Cookie. She twisted upon one foot, and gestured him in

“This is where House Raspberry stays, this is where you will stay, you are now House Raspberry, you will be treated as such; you are not yet housed, but you will be housed, when I deem you fit, are we clear?”, Pavlova Cookie was a little lost, if he’s staying in the house isn’t he already housed? Isn’t that what it means?

“But… I’m already in the house?”

“It’s more of an abstract house”

“B…but it’s right there!”

“Yes but—it’s a clique. You are in the house of the clique, but you’re not IN the clique.”

“….Soooo… it’s like I’m trying to prove myself to the cool cookies to show how cool I am to the girl, so sheee falls in love with me?”

“Wh—? Yes. Yes. That.”, Raspberry Cookie waved him in, falling into the frame of the house of the venerable duelists.

Opposite to the main ball, the building was strict, rafters were crossed and the rooms were much more private, built in the faces of stoic walls made of Biscoff icecream sandwiches, dense and thick enough to prevent peeking and crackage. She lead him to the room at the end, which was highly decorated with rewards and photos of Raspberry Cookie and Queen Moth-

Oh.

“You will take the master bed, and I shall find my own accommodations.”, he didn’t understand her, she was just like Sugarfly Cookie, but even more insufferable! Why did she do this? He could’ve been fine just laying on the ground or finding his own spot like how she said! But instead she wanted to take the high horse so he could eat all the ginger dust beneath her! But… he had to be calm. He wanted to get to Sugarfly, he didn’t know where, but someone here must know where she is, they all went in the same direction anyways so perhaps there was a bit of a conversation going… if only she talked to him before she went. Pavlova Cookie nodded assuredly, to not make her not have their second act breakup before they even finished with the prologue of their story; floating over and sitting on the bed. It was comfortable. Very comfortable. Better than a small circular bed that was more for a cake hound than a cookie. Which was not, by his own accord, comfortable.

“Thank you”, he said, as Raspberry Cookie cozied up her study’s seat.

“My pleasure.” She responded, as they both took a rest.

Sugarfly Cookie had flew many a meter to try and reach the kingdom of the Faeries, dropping to the ground as her saccharine dough laid infront of the silver faeries. Many didn’t recognize her, some of her thought she was one of the beasts entourages, one only saw her for who she was.

“SilverCloche Cookie…?”, she turned up to the old name and looked down in shame

“I…I heard a beautiful voice… I didn’t know… I’m sorry…”, Elder Faerie Cookie lifted her up and hooked her arm over his shoulder

“All is well, my friend. Come, let us give you rest and reimburse your spirits…” as they walked to the tree she once left to understand all that occurred, and all she is sorry for.