light-of-resolution

[light-of-resolution]

bittersweet romance

[light-of-resolution]

Self care is important

|commissions|adoptables|

[light-of-resolution]

To be left with his thoughts was often times common place. Unless it was official business, pressing concerns and issues or a report from patrols along the wall, very few bothered the cold-hearted, bitter king. And here?

He certainly had thoughts going through his head.

There was a reason their little... encounters had to remain quiet. Their engagements a secret only shown in the darkest corners and private chambers of the Kingdom itself. It had been a long time since any cookie had successfully entered his personal space, let alone touched him the way Affogato had.

And as he sat there, he let the tips of his clawed gauntlets grace his lips only briefly. Already, he could imagine how little his own son would think of him if he'd found out. Others in the kingdom may look the other way, a gossip here or there..

But even then, it would be baseless. None would believe their bitter King to have any such warmth within him. Not anymore.

At a time, he believed that as well. Perhaps he was wrong.

Though the sound of footfalls on the cold stone ground brought his mind out of his thoughts, deep purple eyes falling on Affogato Cookie was he entered. That typical smile and stance. It'd what lured him in to begin with...

Though of course, he was quietly thankful they chose a chair that gave them distance between one another.

"I would like to return to our 'original' topic before we got waylaid." He spoke simply, his voice low, a deep rumble.

"You said that the kingdom citizens have been at ill-rest as of late, care to elaborate on the current standing issues?" He raised a curious brow at his advisor as soon, a servant came to begin to set the table for the two of them.

dark   cacao   was   not   the   only   one   who   were   surprised   by   their   actions   .   what   they   have   done   was   far   from   affogato's   plans   ,   sure   kissing   up   to   him   was   a   part   of   it   ,   but   actually   kissing   -   a   frown   settles   on   heated   dough   .   this   was   making   things   complicated   .   in   fact   ,   as   he   trailed   his   way   towards   the   kitchens   ,   ordered   tea   from   the   servants   &   then   move   languidly   to   the   throne   room   ,   the   only   thing   was   on   his   mind   was   how   far   should   he   let   this   go   on   for   .   it   would   have   been   far   easier   to   continue   in   a   detached   manner   ,   to   be   truly   emotionless   .   yet   there's   an   inkling   settling   in   his   jam   that   parting   from   this   situation   is   going   to   be   hard   .   maybe   one   of   the   hardest   things   he   has   ever   done   . rounding   into   the   throne   room   ,   he   takes   note   of   the   table   (   a   grateful   sight   )   &   then   casting   dark   cacao   a   glance   .   cheery   disposition   kicks   in   automatically   ,   though   this   time   he   chooses   to   take   a   seat   a   distance   away   rather   than   cozy   up   into   the   king's   personal   bubble   .   appearances   must   be   kept   after   all   &   resting   is   very   welcome   .   ❛   the   tea   will   arrive   shortly   ,   my   majesty   .   what   topic   of   discussion   would   you   like   to   speak   on   at   this   time   ?   ❜

[light-of-resolution]

"I may have lost, but I see no greater opponent to lose to than a good friend. Well fought, Pure Vanilla Cookie.. Now, go forth, and see to it that Beast does not claim the crown." He bows his head in respect.

"And.. when you have gained victory, come to the Dark Cacao Kingdom, I shall treat you to our finest teas."

[light-of-resolution]

"It matters not to me if Pure Vanilla Cookie or I win. Either way, we both must push forward to ensure the Beasts can not claim victory!" He gives a rare smile. Yes, he was dunking on Shadow Milk Cookie.

But he wouldn't be mean to a friend.

"Fight well, Pure Vanilla Cookie! Let us see if your awakening has strengthened your resolve!"

[light-of-resolution]

"I WOULD say you 'fought well', jester. But I know very well that is not in your set of skills.." A huff.

"Either way, I won, fair and square."

⋆.ೃ࿔*:･ ❛Pah~I wasn't interested in winning anyways.Like stealing candy from a dough baby so simple to do with my eyes closed.It's much more fun to pull strings in the background of this stage. ❜

[light-of-resolution]

He's having a moment to himself, a rare smile on his face as he gives a slight chuckle.

"I think the young cookies put it most eloquently...."

He clears his throat.

"Skill Issue... clown."

[light-of-resolution]

[ Workin' on some drafts.

So who wants a starter from the grumpy old king? ]

[light-of-resolution]

[ Working on a personal design for Dark Cacao.. and.. hoo boi..

Ya'll ain't ready. ]

[light-of-resolution]

Your Majesty, one of our warriors is poisoned, he said that he was near some weird red and black spikes that poked out of the ground nearby and got himself pricked by one!

"Red and.. black.." Tell tale signs of Dark Enchantress Cookies doing.

"Hmph.. And to think we believed she was held up in her machinations in Beast-Yeast. Very well, I'll send a proper scouting party to investigate, until then, alert all scouts for potential strikes against the wall, and be ready to face any Cake Monsters." He almost snarled out as he moved to grab his blade.

"That.. damned Cake Witch. Ever the coward."

[light-of-resolution]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QuNZSDt7QPU

*cue a Japanese forest-themed door opens underneath Dark Cacao*

"Hmm?" He didn't... request for any of the castle servants to play music for him? He slowly stood from his throne, yet.. he was alone.

Odd...

"Now where did that sound come fr-" Before he could finish his thought, he felt a falling sensation. Not unlike the rare times he was pulled into that damned Beast of Apathy's realm. But.. this was.. VERY different!

"AH-!" And down he plummets!

[light-of-resolution]

He briefly looked side long to his advisor. That glimmer of mischief told him everything. Oh, they knew what they'd done, what they were doing. He partially wanted to mentally kick himself for falling for the others charms.

But it got difficult over time when even on the coldest days, Affogato Cookie was right there and cozying up to him.

Eventually that barrier would begin to crack, even if he didn't want it to.

"Have the servants deliver it." He watched carefully as Affogato moved ahead of him. As always, the cold king was a cookie of few words.

Amazing how quickly the other moved when spurned into action. Though watching the other move ahead of him, noting the loose drip of ice cream from their head caused a small.. very tiny smirk to appear over Dark Cacao's face.

Oh dear, what could have caused that. He internally hummed.

It would immediately fade if anyone looked in his direction as he'd pass Affogato once the paths deviated.

His destination was his throne room, even if the day had been relatively quiet and slow. He always expected some herald to be bearing a missive at any point.

Still, being able to settle himself back down into his throne with a heavy huff, resting after standing for what felt like hours. He'd wait there, patiently as always as a few servants were already on their way of setting up a side table and seating arrangements for tea with his advisor.

offering   a   gaze   upwards   ,   eyes   sparkling   in   mischief   .   oh   how   he   wanted   to   combat   it   ,   what   if   he   didn't   ?   though   ,   staying   out   of   public   eye   for   too   long   ,   including   the   very   servants   that   take   care   of   the   castle   is   not   a   good   look   for   either   of   them   ,   shame   .

❛   of   course   !   i   will   return   to   your   side   once   the   servants   start   .   would   you   rather   me   deliver   the   tea   or   have   them   do   it   themselves   ?   ❜

he   pulls   ahead   of   dark   cacao   in   favor   for   deviating   towards   the   kitchens   ,   a   loose   drip   of   ice   cream   hangs   from   the   mass   stuns   him   for   a   second   before   sweeping   it   back   up   into   his   bangs   .   maybe   he   needs   a   mirror   first   .

[light-of-resolution]

@4ffogato - Continued from X

Getting the stone cold face of the King to fluster was a feat and a half. Even as the other used their fan to cool themselves, he simply turned to walk. A minor adjustment to his hair and crown followed. The heavy sounds of his armored boots echoing along the halls.

'Meetings' like this were becoming more frequent. What had started as actual conversations of to-do's and status in the Kingdom itself, consoling with his appointed advisor on paths to take forward had turned into...

This.

And today had been especially cold, so no one would think much as he pulled his cloak higher to hide the fluster across his face.

"You best keep that promise, Affogato Cookie." His deep purple eyes lowered to the cookie who quickly took their place alongside him. There was no need for any rumors to spread, least of all reaching a certain.. cookie of his jam line. What had he even been pulled to the side for this time?

Something about a border skirmish or what not. It hardly mattered anymore, and he needed tea.

"Have the servants arrange some tea... for the both of us, if you would."

[light-of-resolution]

Normally, he wouldn't have entertained a traitor. Someone who coveted his throne, and for all the wrong reasons. A cookie that could lavish themselves with the power he wielded, but would crumble the moment anything came for their head, for the kingdom itself.

It was already nothing short of a miracle that Dark Cacao had managed to beat back Mystic Flour, to end the plague, to end the Beasts reign of terror. But he knew it was but a momentary lapse, a break in the clouds.

They would be back, she had warned him as such. And as such, he'd been in full on preparation. Further expanding the guards and other forces under his command. But as many cookies of the Kingdom had noted.. their ones bitter, sharp edged King..

Had begun to smile more. His wrath was softer, his hand stayed more. Many speculated what their King endured in the lands of Beast-Yeast; but it was all seen as beneficial to the kingdom as a whole.

When Affogato Cookie sought to speak freely, however..

He said nothing. His head tilted forward, as if in acknowledgement. Before, he would have shouted, told them to leave his presence. But not this time.

And.. he listened. He left the floor open, as many of those present in the throne room held onto baited breath. Each word weighing heavy and ringing with truth.

Indeed, his rule was strict in this frozen wasteland. It had to be...

"Before, I would have cast you to crumbs by your mere words alone." He finally broke the silence. Dark Cacao rose from his throne and moved down it's steps toward Affogato. The sounds of his armor subtly echoing in the quiet, cold halls.

"Perhaps though.. the recent ordeals have taught me more than hiding behind our walls ever has." The words of wisdom from Peach Blossom Cookie, facing off against Mystic Flour herself.. feeling his body crumble under the weight of his armor as parts vanished into flour..

The dragons, finding him weak..

His lowest moment... But he came back from it, more resolved than ever. But also, with a greater understanding.

He stopped at the foot of the stairs to his throne, in front of Affogato Cookie.

"I will do neither." He spoke simply. Both options may have been appealing to him before, but there had already been enough loss of life powder within the kingdom. He was not aiming to add more to that count.

"Instead, tell me.." He watched them carefully.

"What has kept you in a land you find so hostile, as to walk back into the halls of the one you so greatly 'loathe'? Have you become so lost that no other avenue exists." He took a few more steps forward, towering over Affogato.

"Or something else has driven you here."

expression   devoid   of   his   everlasting   curt   smile   ,   instead   he   meets   the   king's   gaze   with   .   .   .   nothing   .   eerie   evenness   ,   perhaps   the   first   time   the   king   truly   meets   his   ex-advisor   .   dark   cacao's   ability   to   overcome   the   beast   cookie   should   have   him   groveling   on   the   floor   ,   to   kill   his   plans   &   ego   ,   anything   to   return   to   dark   cacao's   side   .   or   even   announce   information   he   sleuthed   to   free   himself   from   exile   .   yet   .   .   .   what   stews   beneathe   his   dough   is   a   sense   of   emptiness   .

❛   congratulations   ,   your   majesty   .   ridding   the   kingdom   of   its   plague   &   besting   the   beast   ,   your   strength   is   unparalleled   .   ❜

no   longer   were   his   words   dripped   in   false   saccharine   for   there   was   no   longer   a   reason   for   it   .   if   it   were   he   ?   he   wonders   ,   would   his   selfish   drive   for   his   dream   be   enough   to   fend   off   apathy   ?   or   would   it   simply   cave   in   faster   ?   too   many   pathways   to   consider   &   yet   ,   he   did   not   feel   like   thinking   about   it   .   he   senses   for   the   second   time   in   his   life   he's   about   to   do   something   very   rash   .

❛   i   will   speak   freely   due   to   my   exiled   state   .   i   considered   your   rule   to   be   harsh   &   that   still   rings   true   ,   you   lord   over   your   people   in   a   ridged   fashion   &   quite   frankly   ,   i   am   unsure   when   is   the   last   time   the   kingdom   experienced   a   vast   festival   .   i   thought   that   if   i   were   to   have   the   throne   that   i   would   usher   in   an   age   where   the   people   would   experience   joy   in   this   tundra   rather   than   constantly   spiral   in   paranoia   due   to   the   possibility   of   an   attack   .   ❜

that   he'd   finally   come   to   a   rest   ,   to   belong   amongst   his   people   .   eye   contact   torn   as   he   finds   new   interest   in   the   nearest   wall   ,   brows   furrowed   .   ❛   i   no   longer   know   what   to   do   with   myself   ,   maybe   the   lingering   affect   of   apathy   still   strikes   me   .   i   leave   that   task   to   you   ,   have   me   executed   or   jailed   but   i   rather   see   the   skies   within   the   walls   of   the   kingdom   for   one   last   time   .   ❜

[light-of-resolution]

Your Majesty, there's been a sighting of two cookies heading this way! One of them was Shadow Milk cookie while the other was wearing black all over its body with a red scarf on its neck!

He flinched at the report.

Were the Beasts already on the move? It felt like barely any time had passed since Mystic Flours' plague ripped through his Kingdom. So many cookies had been crumbled, returned to flour by the Beasts twisted Apathy.

And now another was on the loose? From the sounds of it, with one of its' minions at it's side.

"I see... Alert Caramel Arrow Cookie and Crunchy Chip Cookie, I want the guards on high alert and the Creme Wolf patrols along the walls, NOW!" He stood up from his throne, moving to the side as he grabbed for his Grapejam Chocoblade.

The moment his hand took hold of the blade, a wave of power flowed over him. His armor shapeshifting and flowing into his elegant awakened cloak and robes.

"Ensure we have archer's along the walls of each minor gate, and the main force at the front gate.." With a swing of the blade, he hooked it to his back.

"I will meet the Beast and its minion at the Gate.." It will NOT get past him.

[light-of-resolution]

Dark Cacao had been expecting the worst. Wondering if some how, the Beast had managed to reach out and use his half of the soul jam to pull him back into this bizarre realm. She'd done it before, but the fact it would happen again.. so soon..

Had him worried.

It wouldn't be long before his outburst did he catch a presence, however. But something was distinctly.. different from it. There was a bizarre calmness to the presence, that wasn't immediately hallow and all consuming. As such, he cautiously lowered his drawn blade, before turning to the sound of nearby foot falls.

Indeed.. there was a cookie there. It...

It looked similar to Mystic Flour Cookie, yet also did not. It was a bizarre circumstance. Was this some sort of trick? to lower his guard, to afflict him with her white plague of Apathy as she tried to do such a short while ago.

He would not fall into Apathy again, not since his Resolution had flared and awakened great power in his dough. His convictions.. stronger than they ever were.

The moment they spoke though, the tone in the other cookies voice was a stark difference to Mystic Flour.

"Who.. are you." He spoke plainly, clearly as his eyecing narrowed at the cookie.

"I had assumed the Beast pulled me back into this realm to have yet another try at taking the soul jam from me." He stood tall, the tip of his blade rested on the ground as one hand remained steady on the hilt.

Indeed.. the Soul Jam of Resolution hummed majestically, embedded in the hilt of the blade itself. Oddly.. not directly connected to Dark Cacao..

"You look hauntingly similar to the Beast that resides here."

Wheat Flour Cookie was humming to her, tending to the garden as always to pass the time, when she felt a tug on her soul which caused her to pause with watering the flowers as the sensation felt… Rather familiar to her…

Very familiar…

She kept humming to herself as the prophet closed her eyes for a moment, trying to figure out what caused the sensation, before placing the watering can down onto the ground before walking in the direction of the energy whilst still humming to herself…

She might as well investigate considering whatever was causing it was in the realm itself… And If it was a cookie then she would need to guide them out of the realm so that her beast self didn’t reduce them into flour… 

But there was a nagging feeling that the energy had been here before and she should know the energy itself but she couldn’t exactly place her finger on it… At least… Until she heard the voice yelling out; calling out to the Beast which caused her to stop humming.

Ah… That what or rather who it was… 

Her expression turned one of concern when she saw the Cookie… It was one who now wielded her soul jam when she lost the right to it when she fell into corruption and allowed the Apathy to consume her soul… 

Only leaving a shard of her former self left.

She carefully walked towards him and allowed the other to sense her presence as she didn’t want to startle the king especially considering he knew her counterpart before speaking in a firm but gentle voice.

“... You shouldn’t be calling her out unless you seek to fight her… Then I suppose that is one way to draw her attention if she hasn’t noticed you yet and she’s within this realm..” Wheat Flour stopped a few distance away from the other; her silver eyes lingering on the king as a somber smile could be seen on her face, and her hands clasped together in front of her.

[light-of-resolution]

@shadowmillk

Something didn't feel right. The shadows seemed unnaturally long, the candles of the main hall never produced the light to cast them as such. The air, although always cold, felt near frigid against him. And the normal howling winds were still and quiet.

Hid guards were on edge, security was tightened without a second thought. But the old king was not satisfied.

Something was wrong... but the feeling from this was different, compared to the hallow, emptiness he endured with Mystic Flour Cookie.

But it had the same intensity. Could it have been another of the Beasts?

He rose form his throne, hand reaching to grab the hilt of his sword. A fluid motion as his armor shifted. Black and white, the sword gaining new angles and the soul jam flaring to life with brilliant resolution.

He stepped down from his throne, his cloak taking form behind him as he took on his awakened form.

"Show yourself." He stopped in the middle of the throne room, blade before him as both hands rested on the hilt.