Dark Cacao's Inbox

[winterfrosting]

DC is usually patrolling or at Pure Vanilla's house. But poking his notebook will always eventually get his attention!

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[winterfrosting]

Mmhm.

[also not moving. In fact he leans back on one hand, still slightly petting with the other. Staring sleepily at the fire. Content]

[purevanillacookie]

[ There's a not so small part of Pure Vanilla who wishes he had been able to bring his Staff, so he could see the look on his friends face right now. He also wonders if he can blame being part animal in the desire to crawl forward to curl further into the other's lap.

Instead he lays there quietly, soaking up the warmth from the fire and the comfort his friend offers him in so many ways, enjoying the rather soothing touch of the petting. It coaxes him lightly into a gentle doze; not fully asleep, but the way his head gets heavier on Cacao's knee, it's obvious he's drifting.

The moment he dips too far down? He loses concentration on his form change and the next minute there's...... well. Pure Vanilla Cookie back to 'normal'. Enough wool covers everything naughty but there's a sudden amount of chaos as Pure Vanilla makes a loud bleating noise of startlement and surprise as the strawbunny slips off onto the floor and the stoat sleeps on cause screw you all. ]

[winterfrosting]

[He had been perfectly content to let Vanilla nap- he knows his friend and his sleeping habits, and sharing a home makes it all the more obvious that he doesn't sleep enough-

(not that cacao is any better, he knows)

- only to also bark out a curse when Vanilla changes shape. Oops... guess it needed concentration to keep.

That suuure is a lot of dough he's getting an eyeful of, even if certain parts are hidden by the wool. Including the intricate designs he's only ever seen in passing glances. He quickly reaches over to grab his mostly dry by now cape and drapes it over his friend with... only slight hesitation, his face a little darkened but otherwise maintaining his cool]

Calm, it's just me and the beasts.

[purevanillacookie]

[ The noise that comes out of Pure Vanilla is ... pure embarrassment, but also a really low sheep noise that is actually sort of hilarious. Bleh noise more of a bah noise. When the cape drapes over him, he looks grateful and shifts the edges to cover himself more properly. ]

I know, forgive me. I think I was dreaming and to suddenly be not was- a-and to be-

[ Showing SO MUCH SKIN. He knows it's Cacao, he knows they're such close friends that the other probably knows him better in his habits than he knows himself, yet Pure Vanilla has always been shy. Half just because of body shyness and half because of what he's done to his body to get the amount of power he commands. There's a lot of forbidden symbols etched there, permanent reminders. He puffs his cheeks up and then sighs out a blow of air. Plus he's blind with his Staff in the other room so he's in a more vulnerable position that he normally is.

And to wake up with his head on Cacao's knee.... his brain gurgles. ]

[winterfrosting]

Understandable. Take a moment to gather yourself- I will go gather your robes so they can dry.

[Ah. Cute]

[purevanillacookie]

Oh! Thank you, my friend.

[ He sounds relieved, and relaxes a lot. He pulls his cape the best he can over bits, ah!ing slightly. ]

May I ask you bring my Staff as well?

[winterfrosting]

Mmhm.

[Off he goes, wringing the robes out properly and eyeing the Staff a bit before taking it up. He hands the Staff over right away before setting to work hanging the clothing up with his own]

[purevanillacookie]

[ The Staff is taken with a thankful smile. It's much nicer being able to see the area he's at. ]

Thank you.

[ And while still shy over it, he seems more comfortable now, petting the Strawbunny and Stoat as he watches his robes be laid out.

Doesn't mean he's not blushing. ]

My apologies for earlier.

[winterfrosting]

Hm?

[Vanilla what are you even apologizing for? Nothing to be embarrassed over]

[purevanillacookie]

[ When you become so well versed in grunts and hums you can understand your friend via it... ]

It was a lot of fuss, and I disrupted a peaceful moment. And it is not like you have not seen me before.

[winterfrosting]

Ah. Well, you have heard me wake in a start more than once during the war. Think nothing of it.

... and even so, I have never seen your markings in any clarity before.

[purevanillacookie]

Ah. They are...

[ His hubris. He hesitates for a moment, then sets his Staff down beside him to shyly hold his arms out towards Dark Cacao. The wool covers almost everything, of his arms only the upper arms are bare. ]

... reminders.

[winterfrosting]

[He takes the offering with appropriate solemness, running thumbs on the marks. Scars, not tattoos like he assumed]

These are arcane in nature?

[he can suspect what Vanilla intends to remember, but it's not his place to make guesses like that]

[purevanillacookie]

[ And Cacao would be on the jelly.

No, Pure Vanilla won't shudder to the touch, each line sensitive, but his ears do flick. ]

Indeed. Knowledge carved into my very dough. I shan't easily forget the paths I once dared to tread.

[winterfrosting]

[ 'You and White Lily are exactly alike!'

He can hear Hollyberry's words as clear as the day she said them- and even outside the fight, with his emotions long since cooled, she wasn't wrong. The two mages always were similar. Seeking the unknowable so others would not have to be burdened.]

Power... always comes with regrets.

[purevanillacookie]

It does.

[ A small, sad smile. He knows Cacao knows that too well. ]

It is why I went on my Pilgrimage and sought the Truth. To find out what good this power is, that I have marked into my very being, if not to make an unfailing body for all Cookies.

[winterfrosting]

[many cookies might have said it shouldn't be on Vanilla yo do such a thing. That his very dough shouldn't be sacrificed for the Greater Good.

Cacao isn't one of those cookies, for good and very much for ill. His thumb keeps petting the marks like he was wool before]

Knowing this, it surprises me even more that you were willing to share the Souljam. But I suppose it has always been your nature to see the best in others.

[purevanillacookie]

[ The constant touch has slowly relaxed Pure Vanilla, even if every stroke sends little shivers up his spine. Dark Cacao hasn't seen the full extent of the marks. ]

It is what the Truth showed me that day, when I first found it so long ago. Power is to be used for the benefit of everyone. How could I not then offer my Jam? I had already turned away from the Light once before, I could not do it again.

[winterfrosting]

Hmm...

[it's something he's not sure they will ever fully agree on, even if he sees Vanilla's intent. He just can not see Clotted Cream and his Republic backers so kindly.

Every word was not "let us help your burden" and instead screamed "we do not trust you to carry it"

It made him bristle even thinking about it.]

I hope... one day there will be no need for it at all.

[purevanillacookie]

[ He knows the hmm. It makes him smile in return. He knows the trust Cacao had extended to Clotted Cream and the Council had only been based on his trust for Pure Vanilla and Hollyberry. He shifts his hands to find Cacao's arms and take them with his hands, squeeze gently to relax him again. ]

I hope so as well, my friend. Someday every Cookie will be happy, and healthy, and powerful enough they do not need protection from old Cookies. They will be able to live in peace, without fear and worry. And I will be glad to lay aside my Souljam, and join them as just another Cookie.

[winterfrosting]

[he relaxes bit by bit. He doesn't want to fight, not right now. When they are comfortable and enjoying each other's company. This place is strange and his body is alien to him and he feels so helpless... but there is the benefit of getting to spend time with his dearest friend again without some overhanging duty or threat. It makes him smile]

Indeed. You said as much in your letter, after all.

[you know, about the future... and the two of them]

[purevanillacookie]

[ Oh his letter. That seems so long ago now, though it may have only been a few months. His smile widens in delight.

He has no idea if Cacao read the underlying meaning. ]

And I meant every word.

[winterfrosting]

[The letter was... well, Cacao is not an idiot, but he IS stubborn. He had laid awake with heavy thoughts for nights after. Over his son, his battered kingdom, the return of the dark forces of this world.

But also Vanilla's wording. The sweet smelling orchid petals in the envelope. He had rubbed the delicate blooms over his palm until it grew brittle days later. Fretting over those specific words.

Not 'us', which would be their entire old party. But 'for you and me'. For the good of them, specifically.

But eventually he had to put those thoughts away. The counsel, which had turned so sour... his mind never really had the chance or, if he was honest, the will, to linger back on those words. Even after they had made peace among their group again. Here, in this peaceful moment, it's easy to think about it again. His skin darkness and he looks back towards the fire, as if scared of his friend's expression]

Thinking about the future for myself has not been something I considered for... a very long time, Pure Vanilla. The idea of sipping tea around a bonfire. Or feeding the birds... it feels almost alien now. I am too old and set in my dough, I fear.

[purevanillacookie]

[ Dark Cacao may turn away but it just makes Pure Vanilla's expression shift into something more fond. He knows his friends worries and fears. He doesn't need to use his sight to see them. The worries about his people. The pain that Power can bring. His worries for his Son.

Thank you, Sesa, for helping him do what he's about to do next. For helping him get over that initial hurdle of hugging.

Letting go of Cacao's arms, Vanilla reaches out to set his hands on the other's shoulders. Then gently tug the bigger man in, make him lean down, to wrap him into a warm, tight hug. There's no way he's fitting his arms properly around Cacao, so he mostly wraps them around his head, holds him against his shoulder. ]

I know you fear that you cannot change, as the weight of your world presses around your shoulders. You care too deeply about your people to allow yourself a vision of the future where we may simply relax, where we are not needed so direly to lead. Yet Resolution is not just the resolve to see things done, but to see things finished. And once it is, I will be by your side for a new journey together. Into peace.

[winterfrosting]

[He stiffens at the hug. Witches, when was the last time? Choco. Of course it was Choco. His breath comes out long and heavy, like he was deflating... before he just sinks into the embrace.

It is... a lovely dream.]

We... could go on another adventure, if you wish.