winterfrosting | Dark Cacao's Inbox

[ That makes him laugh, and he gives his friends wrist a squeeze. ]

I promise, my friend, if the evil waters begins to overwhelm you, I will be here to save you.

[ Frankly the water here is even less offensive than back home, it doesn't sparkle after all. ]

Armor off before you trek it in there too. Under armor as well.

[ And he playfully turns his Staff away to give Dark Cacao privacy. ]

[he grumbles but does as asked: it's not like Vanilla hasn't seen his bare dough before when they traveled together- but never in this new awkward body. He's not body shy though. His dough and it's nicks are a badge of honor, after all]

If I drown or crumble they will know exactly who to blame.

I will take my inevitable lynching with thorough and proper shame, then.

[ He says it solemnly, but his tail just wont stop going in random little patterns, and his smile is bright as ever. With far more strength than his tiny body should allow, he takes those armor and under armor pieces - whew, Witches.... - and promptly marches outside with them. He's thieving them.

It won't be hard to understand why because while Dark Cacao bathes, Pure Vanilla is going to attack those articles of clothing with the shampoo left over that he borrowed from the bath house. Shampoo and water, and Minotaur strength to scrub the sin out of them.

Complete with determined aggressive little baa!'s ]

[Bless Vanilla, because they are pretty rank. The weather here is much warmer than the Ridge after all and his friend refuses to be idle ever.

Cacao makes sure to bathe for awhile since he knows his friend will just chase him back in if he isn't through]

[ They are horrible. It will take some time soaking, scrubbing, and rinsing each piece to get them smelling less like ground in bitter cacao, dirt, and that strange humanized scent of sweat... and more floral. Sorry, the bath house was very strong on the floral scents.

Eventually he moves everything back inside to set it up by the fireplace, lighting a fire to let the heat dry the under armor... then stripping his outer cape off to hang it up so it can dry as well, sitting himself near enough to let his robes dry out.

Because unlike Dark Cacao, he is quite body shy and can't strip them off to save his own life here. He's soggy from cleaning, and is doing his best not to get water back onto the armor as he dries it off too. ]

[Oh are we talking body image cuz man here comes Cacao in a towel, using another to try and dry his hair which is frizzing really badly. He misses icing!!!]

... you are quite the mess.

[Did you lose a fight with a hose, Vanilla???]

[ There's actually a three-take that happens here. The double-take at Dark Cacao in just the towel - and Pure Vanilla is trying very hard not to stare but his Staff is doing a very bad job at hiding it and Pure Vanilla finds skin is far easier at showing the rush of blood than dough is to jam cause he can feel his cheeks heat up - and then the third-take at the hair that is slowly becoming a rats nest. ]

Ah, I could say the same for yourself! Stop, my friend, you're killing it!

[ He makes an affronted noise and gets up to quickly disappear into his own bedroom, then come back with a comb. He gestures with a finger towards the couch. ]

Sit!

Hmm?

[Even Cacao can't NOT notice the reaction, but before he can ponder it he's being told to sit. Which he does.]

Perhaps I should cut it short.

[ You noticed nothing, Dark Cacao Cookie. And please forgive how Pure Vanilla may smell cause damp wool probably isn't the best, but he's at least cleaner than Cacao right now. So he will force him to turn to his side, so he can stand behind him enough to begin to gently comb his hair. Work those snarls out with a soft careful touch. ]

You absolutely will not do such a thing. There is... ah, a lot yes, but it is not too hard to take care of! It is not so easily grown back, either, unlike our icing which we can simply restyle longer if desired.

Hm. Inconvenient.

[he touches a lock]

Then perhaps putting it up again would be a good counter. I do not need to wear my crown constantly here...

.... I have not seen you in such a look in years.

[ The smile on his face is evident in his voice, as he gently combs Dark Cacao's hair, slowly defrizzling the damage the other had done. ]

I will admit, it was a good look on you, my friend. And I do not doubt it will be far easier to manage here.

[ Every little section that he manages to get back to smooth will get gently placed over Dark Cacao's shoulder. A brush might be used after but the comb is doing a good enough job. ]

It was the most practical back then. Though I have more of it now then I ever did when we were young.

[his lips quirk in a almost-smile, nostalgic]

By some bit. I could never understand the desire to have so much weight on ones head.

[ The crown was heavy enough, when he had it.

But... he will admit to himself that now that Cacaos hair is clean, and smelling fresh and sweet... it's almost silken to the touch. And it's rather nice to stand there and comb it out.]

[... and Cacao makes no move to stop him from playing with it]

I suppose I never thought much about it.

[Bullshit, he takes too much care of his long icing for it to be something he doesn't do on purpose. Looks like someone doesn't wanna admit to any vanity]

Mmhmm. Of course you never did.

[ Of course his best friend is going to rib him about it, while he's very carefully detangling the long strands. The smile is back in his voice, and he tugs on Dark Cacao's ears gently to show he's playing. ]

Hold for a moment.

[ Putting the comb down, he wanders off to find a hair tie which is a bit difficult but... if he knows this house and who lived in it previously... there, in the bedroom, in the cabinets.

When he comes back, he'll begin to carefully gather it up with both hands, tie held gently with his lips as he focuses. White Lily wore hers braided but loose, down. Cacao likes his higher... gonna use the comb to help tighten hair, man he wishes it was easier as icing. ]

[he doesn't move, but does tilt his head as Vanilla leaves, surprised when he comes back with a tie. Neither him or Clotted Cream have hair long enough hair for-

-ah. Yes, he did mention a version of Lily lived here too. He sits still as sugarstone while Pure Vanilla puts his hair up, eventually:]

White Lily Cookie... even with what happened between us all that day... I am glad a version of you and her were able to live peacefully for a time.

Edited 2024-04-01 20:42 (UTC)

[ Silence is first met with the comment about White Lily, though Pure Vanilla's hands don't still on the hair under them. It's not until he's finished gathering it up, and has it held where it wants it, does he sigh. Removing the tie from his mouth, glad he's behind Cacao so he can't see his expression. ]

I am glad as well... The two seemed quite happy, from the letters I have found. They were married here, in the Grove. Though this house was bare when I requested it, it is obvious there was love worn into the features.

[ Cacao will notice them as well. Places in the framing of doorways which have been worn smooth over time, subject to habits of the inhabitants and repeated grabs or touches. Cane marks worn into the flooring, one of them had a limp. Pure Vanilla tries not to look at them too often. Carefully he works Dark Cacao's hair into a ponytail, set high in his old style, then smiles when it remains properly, let it mask his previous expression. Ha! Bless hair for being style-able like icing. ]

If you look, you will find echoes of your past self as well, I am sure. I do not doubt you were a dear friend even then, and I highly doubt you would have been able to escape us from having you over often.

[ Or living with them. Frankly, knowing himself and knowing souls don't truly change (Dark Enchantress is... an anomaly due to the Ultimate Dough), he has no doubt they may have pulled their friend into love as well. ]

[he chuckles at that]

I am still not sure how to feel about this apparent history. I suppose as long as this other me maintained himself with honor... I will accept him.

It is... interesting. To see bits of yourself as you are now, but it is like looking through the windows of a building. Slightly warped, distorted, but still recognizably you. And I have no doubt you would still be a man of honor and conviction.

[ He sets the ponytail over Dark Cacao's shoulder for him, and is super glad his Staff is off to the side so he can't... look down. And embarrass himself. ]

Your under armor should be dry soon, if you put your armor on again I will kick you.

[ He's joking, though now that he's done taming the hair he'll grab the other bundle of bathing items, pondering them. ]

... Have you seen Clotted Cream Cookie lately?

Edited 2024-04-01 21:36 (UTC)

... I have not. Was he investigating outside of the village?

Yes... and I understand that time works strangely here, for him it might not feel like he's been gone long, but even so...

[ Even so, it's been a while. And there was no note when he left, if he went to investigate. He worries the items around in his hand, the eye on his Staff turning to look out a window, towards the forest.

The look on his face deepens, turns darker. ]

[His gaze follows Vanilla's staff's, and he more openly glares]

You wish to search for him.

I do. I do not like the idea the creature may have him.

[ He turns his attention back to Cacao. ]

I will not ask you to put yourself in danger to join me.

You do not have to.

[said with no hesitation]

[ His expression softens. The affection is strong and almost overwhelming. Of course. ]

Thank you. I know not what we will find, but I am glad to have you at my side again.

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