#[ ic ] - [ goodbye fools... - rp reply ]

[truthless-recluse]

The physical changes had been subtle at first. Sure, a change of attire as expected. But the rest started to come day by day it felt like. Something changed about the ex-healer. First it was the diamond on his forehead changing color, then his eyes.. then the claws, the ears and now.. possibly todays change.

The teeth.

Becoming more and more like the Jester each day. And he welcomed it, accepted what was happening to him. He only pondered how far his dough would change.

A low chuckle echoed out of him, the tight embrace pulling him closer as he was pulled with the Jester as he floated. So elegant, he'd never noticed before. But Pure Vanilla had not bothered to notice.

"How many have now? Has it just been you?" He hummed, pursuing his old memories. He remembered Dark Cacao had dealt with.. something, but he never got to read the missive. but he was curious, inching his face a bit closer to Shadow Milk's.

"I'm sure there's plenty of time." His face remained ever so red from the kiss as he brushed his own lips to the other's neck. Nuzzling right into the ruffled collar.

"Those.. 'heroes' seem to like moving slowly. They fail to communicate. I wouldn't be surprised if they left one another to 'deal' with their trials on their own." He grumbled into the others collar. Yes.. Still quite a painful memory of White Lily Cookie walking away from him.

"Maybe.. we should write a play based off their failures. Hmm?"

⋆.ೃ࿔*:･ ❛Hey hey watch the teeth. ❜

He pulled hand back as the other snapped their teeth at them.Noting another physical change the other had similar to him had his smile stretching.Purring louder they tightly embraced the former healer kissing at the hands that held his face.

⋆.ೃ࿔*:･ ❛Rrrr That's my silly Nilly.Ha ha Once the other's get their shiny new bods and regain their power it will be so much fun.❜

He aimlessly floated off to the side holding onto his other half contently.Watching all of Earthbread crumble beneath them,hearing the other's declaration to do so put him over the moon.He was in bliss the jester happily kissed their forehead right where that precious blue diamond laid marked on his skin.So much to do but he had time and wanted to relish in this moment.

[silver-crowned-riders]

Alright, it's been long enough. NEW INTRO!

These are the admins of Team Riders speaking!

I'm Jace! Tough-as-nails, a relentless battler, and a dare-Gira cyclist! SO WATCH OUT! He/him!

I'm Beau, and I'm the better one. But don't worry, I play nice~ she/xem, fairy fan, harmless little goober! I promise! ^^

// Beau's Meowth has been retconned with Tinkatuff in their place!

We live in Shinria, a region of stunning nature and fantastic Pokemon, but ignorant and cowardly people!

We don't find it necessary to reject myths about the harm Pokemon can do, cuz for the Pokemon where those stories aren't myths, it doesn't do a thing for them! Not that it helps much in the first place, people just don't listen sometimes. Sigh~

That's why we let 'em into our crew, to break as many rules and destroy as much they want! We've been eyeing the horrible, cursed and hated legendary beasts haunting our region, to add to our crew! We answer to no one except mister bossman Casey, we've had eachother's backs from the start and ain't a thing gonna break that!

He's pretty tech-illiterate though, and this little account is our little secret for now~ he knows. ewpsies. But we're still willing to speak on his behalf!

We also got a lot of motorcyclers here! Ain't really related to anything else, we're just cool like that! As a proud evil team we do NOT associate with the Rocket and Plasma types tryna juice Pokemon for all they're worth, we'd much prefer watching those Pokemon take their revenge!

Our team specializes in Dark, Ghost, Fire, and Fairy types, but we accept anything that would get rejected by others! Feel free to ask about our thoughts on them ^^

You can also learn about our region and team HERE! Ask us anything about it! We kinda get ignored a lot by the wider world so, yknow. It would be nice.

TEAM RIDERS OUT!

// New intro post for these guys! I've felt like their deal was a bit too ambiguous and I wanted to organize it different from how I originally did!

CWs for stuff that might crop up in this blog: Internalized homophobia and ableism, family death, natural disaster, suggestive jokes

Past arcs (in order): [tba]

I have #🎀 and #🧵 as tags for my own reference for keeping them in character but you can also use those to get a good jist of their characters quickly

Pelliper mail is allowed, Magic anons usually no unless I say otherwise for like. a funny bit to happen. IC anon hate and arguments are ok, but I can be anxious and have a harder time telling without ooc notes and such. Also they're sympathetic villains and Jace will probably yell at you a lot.

Run by @swadloom.

I prefer to adapt to the lore of who I'm rping with first and use multiverse explanation second, but some general ideas: Pokemon are slightly more sapient than real world animals, evil teams are fleshed out but still cartoony, Pokemon are eaten, kids saving the world on the regular and catching legendaries is canon, brands often have Pokemon pun names, anomalous Pokemon like the talking Meowth exist, etc etc.

My energy for RP is inconsistent, however if you want to set something up just let me know beforehand! At the same time I'm very forgetful and often a slow replier and sometimes let things rot in my drafts or have issues with perfectionism replying to things. In short, message me if you have to, I'm alright with it!

Also like for my own comfort with recent community events no self identified pr/shippers please. Like if its a philosophy about fiction or you're neutral idrc but if you're the type to super vehemently defend it or fawn over those pairings THEN I DON'T TRUST RP-ING WITH YOU. 👉 👉 GET OUT!

ok goodbye 👋 enjoy these fools :)

[truthless-recluse]

He's.. definitely not holding the doll close to him. And acting like it's no big deal.

Definitely not.

"Hmph.. why would I want to keep something like this? And.. friends? Fans? you mean your students, don't you?" There's perhaps a small hint of jealously in his tone, one eye open as he's watching Sage.

“For fun mostly, I like working with my hands!” Sage remarked, popping up behind the Recluse with a big grin, “But they also make nice gifts for friends and fans! Cute, right? You can keep it, if you want!”

[truthless-recluse]

"Uhg.." He rolled his slitted eyes the moment the other collided and clung to him.

"Must you sit there and mope when ever I have to be apart from you? Surely, there's something else you can do outside of cling to me." He was resisting the urge to shove the Jester back from him.

But the other's grip was a touch too tight.

"All I did was step out to head to my room. I was going to be BACK. You could clearly function prior to me being at your side." He puts a hand on Shadow Milk's face, a light push to put a little bit of distance between them.

⋆.ೃ࿔*:･ ❛Nilly!❜

He exclaimed happily flying over to hug the corrupted priest.Oh how he missed them so much.

⋆.ೃ࿔*:･ ❛Haha but a doll pales in comparison to the real thing tho dear!❜

[truthless-recluse]

Truthless Recluse moved away from her for a moment. A few steps back as he watched her wallow in self loathing. He'd let his words hang, a near blank expression of indifference to it all spread over his face.

But then he saw her questioning glaze, the confusion, watching her clutch her staff to herself as if that might save her.

"Shadow Milk Cookie had been in my life since I was young.. yet I wouldn't realize it until it all came to it's culmination. He'd taken many forms, manipulated my life exactly how it needed to be.. He.. was the Light of Truth, all this time. Always had been." His voice was low, but stern, a reveal that had broken him in twain when he realized the comforting voice.. had always been the Jester.

Leading him, like a lost little lamb. Right into the arms of it's master.

All the while, he watched White Lily Cookie, the shadows of his robes held eyes that opened and watched her expressions with glee.. Was.. Shadow Milk Cookie looking through them? Taunting her in his triumph?

"I was his perfect... puppet. His perfect creation..." The once healer's eyes broke away from white Lily Cookie, looking to the ground for a moment. It was almost pitiful with how foolish he'd been to deny his fate. How he tried to fight for his 'identity' when.. in the end..?

Truthless really was just Shadow Milk's other-half. But.. he accepted it now. He had feared it at first but now?

He felt incredible, just as the Jester had promised him. And looking on at the one he used to call a close friend? He felt nothing for her. Nothing remained of his longful one-sided love. Realizing how misplaced it had been.

"So.. I ask you again, White Lily Cookie. Was it worth it?" He finally looked back up at her.

"Did you value me, so little..?"

White Lily only remained rooted to the spot, her eyes locked to the ground, as the guardian could only curse her own existence… She kept making mistakes and mistakes and those mistakes led to so much suffering towards everyone around her… She even caused so many deaths with her poorly thought out decisions.

“Pure Vanilla Cookie….” She mumbled quietly; blinking back her tears that were forming.

Now her latest decision resulted in her childhood friend slipping into the darkness; a path that could have been easily avoided if she did not turn her back on him and toss him to the wolves.

A hitch of her breath could be heard when she felt her chin being gripped and her raspberry eyes were forced to look into the dull colour eyes that were silted. Her body tensed up further, her eyes shrinking, when the children were brought up and he spoke how he didn’t know where they landed after using his power to expel them from the tower…

They were with him… They were with him and now they weren’t… She left them as well… She left children at the tower… She left them in an area that was highly dangerous. They could be dead for she knows and it would be entirely her fault.

The sickness inside of her only grew as she thought. She couldn’t do anything right, couldn’t she? She kept making things worse. Even when the guardian finally thought she did something right for once; it was not enough… It was never enough…

She failed her friend.

“... You were the fortune teller…?” How did she not realize it was him? Did she really not recognize him at that time? Despite knowing the healer for a long time? And should be able to recognize his voice regardless if she couldn’t see his appearance?

… Were her memories really failing her..?

Regardless of that fact… She knew she truly didn’t deserve to be the Guardian and an Ancient Hero when she did nothing but bring misery to the world and didn’t listen to the warning given to her by those who knew better.

The storm of self-loathing raging inside of her stopped for a moment, her expression going blank for a moment, when Truthless Recluse revealed how his fate was sealed since he was a child.

“What do you mean by that…? Your fate has been sealed since you were a child…? … That… How….?” The confusion clearly reflected on White Lily’s face as she shuffled the staff, holding it sideways, and tightly close to her.

[truthless-recluse]

Truthless Recluse watched Affogato carefully, every word they locked away, every little motion memorized. so when the other decided that this offer needed something more.. he wasn't all too surprised. After all, when it came to the Beasts.. Shadow Milk Cookie and by extension, himself; were a terrifying force.

And a more concentrated force at that.

"One question unburdened by lies?" He repeated curiously. This one certainly knew how to negotiate. It also meant they were informed on what Shadow Milk Cookie was. The Beast of Deceit, of Lies. Truthless Recluse's eyes moved to the side, his head not turning.. Instead the blue eyes looking in from the shadows seemed to lock onto his own.

'A hard bargainer.. What a twist.' A voice echoing from the dark.

"I suppose that is one stipulation we can agree to. One question, with only the coldest, hardest truths." Truthless Reclus looked back once more toward Affogato Cookie, the blue eyes in the dark around him also all looked to the other cookie.

It certainly felt like before Affogato sat two cookies, not merely one...

"Me? A curious question to ask. As I've said, Pure Vanilla Cookie is lost to the deepest abyss after learning the truth of his life. A life built to follow directly in the footsteps of the Beast.. to become.. him." He explained, rather simply.

"Abandoning my old life to embrace Deceit has opened me up to the power that comes from a soul jam being made.. whole." He reached a hand up, to the mark on his robes where one would expect his soul jam to have been.

And.. it opened up, almost like an eye. Indeed.. it was there. His half of the Soul Jam, but something was distinctly wrong with it, considering the slit almost pupil like shape on it.

"Shadow Milk Cookie and I, are two halves of a whole. Does that sate you.. or do you require a deeper understanding?"

oh   yes   ,   he   very   much   likes   this   reincarnate   of   everyone's   beloved   ray   of   light   .   returning   the   unnerving   dip   in   mouth   with   his   own   ,   through   the   mention   of   dark   cacao   &   the   new   presence   of   many   ,   though   much   sweeter   .  there's   a   tab   kept   on   this   new   area   ,   the   spire   of   knowledge   .   &   knowing   the   length   at   which   those   brats   attempted   to   thwart   him   ,   he's   sure   if   they   know   about   pure   vanilla's   fall   they   will   find   their   way   in   .   &   with   dull   interest   ,   he'd   rather   not   deal   with   a   reverted   soul   jam   user   .  mystic   flour   cookie   having   interest   in   dark   cacao   .   .   .   sounds   beneficial   to   him   ,   if   he   were   to   be   approached   by   her   perhaps   he   could   strike   up   a   deal   with   her   as   well   .   so   many   new   chess   pieces   on   the   board   everything   was   almost   hard   keeping   track   of   .  the   mention   of   the   possibly   gained   headache   causes   a   chuckle   to   leave   him   ,   his   employer   is   very   informed   of   his   disposition   then   .   very   good   .   perhaps   there's   an   inkling   to   go   back   on   his   words   ,   knowledge   comes   in   plentiful   of   categories   .   there's   no   fun   in   being   all   knowing   ,   but   there's   fun   in   piecing   together   a   puzzle   .   this   ,   truthless   recluse   was   one   of   these   things   to   him   .

❛ ah   yes   ,   i   figured   as   much   ,   ❜   eyes   catching   sight   of   the   beast   ,   delicately   gloved   fingers   drag   the   paper   towards   himself   .   maybe   he   expected   more   ,   more   of   a   difference   from   that   of   the   average   cookie   .   however   ,   there's   strength   in   that   ,   nothing   that   affogato   can   judge   on   .   ❛   the   beasts   are   rather   color   coded   aren't   they   ?   actually   ,   i   have   decided   that   i   wish   to   add   more   to   my   desires   .   i   want   to   ask   one   question   unbothered   by   lies   each   time   we   meet   .   ❜  gaze   removing   itself   from   the   jester   to   stare   at   the   other   while   sliding   the   ticket   back   ,   if   there   was   anything   affogato   loved   more   than   the   throne   &   sugar   was   a   challenge   .   ❛   i'm   sure   if   you   were   in   my   position   you   would   be   quite   curious   .   to   add   ,   i   do   not   care   for   your   past   life   ,   rather   ,   what   you   have   become   .   how   you   tick   .   you   know   so   much   of   me   ,   but   i   know   little   of   you   .   please   indulge   me   .   ❜

[truthless-recluse]

"Hmm.." Truthless listened, an ear twitch as he heard the sounds coming out of Shadow Milk Cookie. Oh.. He liked THAT sound.

"Cute." He muttered under his breath, all before the strings he had conjured were easily dissipated away with one wave of the jester's hand.

"Oh-?" The turn was unexpected, now instead he was laying on the Jester, instead of simply sitting on his lap. Oh yes, the strawberry jam was flooding Truthless' face now. Eyes wide in surprise as that little nip came.

Just a small, little mark on his dough, but he snapped his teethcing slightly at the Jester in response. Much like the other, his own had become a straight, gorgeous row of sharpness compared to what it had been. But it was more a playful snap as the other's hands messed with his hair.

"If Earthbread must burn to blur the lines between truth and lies.. And for us to make it ours? Then.. so be it." He'd already lost his kingdom before. The Vanilla Kingdom... How fast it fell during the Dark Flour Wars. And how he struggled to even being it back in the wake of Dark Enchantress Cookie's meddleing.

It felt like such a distant memory, but now, he had a new one to call home. A Kingdom of Deceit. And it felt so much more complete than the hallow lies his old one was built on.

He rose his hands to take hold of the other's face, looking it over ever so carefully.

"This.. right here. Matters more to me than it's worthless kingdoms built on weak lies.."

⋆.ೃ࿔*:･ ❛Hmmmmm that's a interesting question.I am sure they wouldn't mind to much as long as we let them have their fun after. ❜

He absolutely purred under the other's touch as they ran their claws through his white locks.With a soft rumble their ears perked at the kiss shifting to dissipate the strings the other woven.Turning the other's body to lay ontop of him with a giggle of delight.He needed to return the favor ten fold for their actions. Rather then a kiss he nipped at them leaving a minor mark.This was dangerous and he reframed from doing too much.Still floating above ground Shadowmilk just toyed with Recluse's hair.

⋆.ೃ࿔*:･ ❛ My silly little Nilly.My dark star those fools do not know what will come their way.May the witches forever burn for their actions along with all of Earthbread.The whole world is our playground let us pull our greatest play. ❜

[truthless-recluse]

Ohh.. That flinch. That caused a smile to pull at Truthless' face. there was a deep satisfaction seeing that blush creep over their face. A strange, but incredible victory that he felt. Then the moment they nuzzled into them.

This was a closeness he only ever dreamed of as Pure Vanilla Cookie. One he craved for so long, but thought he'd never achieve due to his friends being so distant.. and his station being so far from other cookies. None of that mattered anymore.

"Ah-!" A light squeak almost as he was lifted up without any effort and twirled and kept upon the Jester's lap. Floating about the ground.

He had to wonder if he could eventually do that. Shadow Milk floated about with such ease, it was almost envious.

"Well.. It's hardly fair if I don't also create names for you, my deepest Shadow." A break in the normally stoic, blank stare. Still red jam flooding his face with red as the other buried their face into his nape. He rose his free hand up, running his now clawed fingers through the white hair on the other's head.

"After all.. we're the same hmm? I am you.. you are me, all of that poetic prose." He'd hum, turning his face to gently place a kiss upon the other's cheek.

"Would your... 'our' friends mind if we toy with their thieves though? Just until we've had our fun?" Abandoning.. Yes. They had done just that. Golden Cheese and Dark Cacao were all too concerned with their own still thriving kingdoms. Hollyberry.. he hadn't heard much of her since her and the cold king clashed at the Summit.

And White Lily...

Pain echoed in his heart, remembering her turn away. The dread that seeped into his dough as he watched her walk away. Leaving him with mere children to ascend the Spire.

Leaving him to face his fate.. alone.

"And Earthbread will regret sealing you, Milky~ Every moment.. sun rise, moon rise." His smile remained with that little nickname. Only the Jester could get away with using any remnant of his 'old name'. Anyone else?

Would get crumbled in an instant.

Enjoying the embrace he flitched at the mention of a nickname.Oh the other sure knows how to keep a jester on his toes huh?A blush crept on his features as he beamed nuzzling head with the other.He wordlessly picked him up in a twirl before moving to float back bringing Recluse into his lap to remain off ground. A laugh errupted from him knowing fully well at this point the other was truly his.All his.. What kind of expression would those thieves make?The gnats squirming around unable to grasp their true power.Not to mention losing their own to the beasts...Not that Nilly every belong with them to begin with anyways. He would need to set the most perfect stage for his most prized puppet...Ah but all he wanted to do is shelter and adore his flower.He squeezed them closer to him burying face in the nape of their neck.Feeling their connection closely before finally replying to the ex-healer.

⋆.ೃ࿔*:･ ❛Haha what a vixen after my heart and soul.You are quite the devious little cookie just like moi.I just want to keep you all to myself and throw away the key!But you are right making those wannabe heroes suffer to our delight will be delicious.They will regret every minute they spent for abandoning you I promise that Nilla. ❜

[truthless-recluse]

The shift in expression caused just the faintest of smiles to form across the once benevolent ancients face. That was not a smile that the saintly Pure Vanilla Cookie might ever show, it was tinged with madness.. with darkness.

"Perhaps, but that ship sailed the moment Pure Vanilla Cookie set foot into the Spire of All Knowledge. Likely we might have met as enemies, considering the stance with the 'King' of this kingdom. But We come to you as an ally." He hummed, eyes never once leaving Affogato Cookie. But even that seemed to not be the only pair of eyes. There were ones hidden in every shadow of the robes he wore.

"Admittedly.. working with Us may also attract the 'others' attention. Such as Mystic Flour Cookie. She has interest in the so-called 'King'.." He let his words hang as he seemed to nod at the other cookie.

"That is fair, though the offer of Power remains should it interest you. Ingredients, reagents, knowledge.. all of those can be effortlessly supplied to you in exchange, then." He chuckled lowly.

"We will make it worth your time and likely headache from dealing with 'her', I assure you." Ah, a name.. a name indeed.

"You may have both of our names. As we are one and the same... I go by Truthless Recluse now, as Pure Vanilla Cookie is dead, dragged into the deepest, and darkest abyss." He pulled a strange.. card.. ticket out of his robes and set it on the table. It resembled the odd posters here and about that appeared without warning.

"The other, my other half... is Shadow Milk Cookie."

he   may   have   claimed   to   see   it   all   in   the   past   but   as   he   rises   from   his   state   of   rest   ,   eyes   slowly   widening   ,   moonstones   shimmering   ;   enraptured   .   this   '   us   '   ,   this   '   we   '   ,   the   possibility   of   '   both   '   .   the   beast   cookies   are   mirrors   to   soul   jam   owners   &   according   to   the   new   shade   of   color   the   other   was   sporting   ,   he'd   assume   shadow   milk   cookie   .   how   .   .   .   intriguing   .   .   .

the   pure   vanilla   he   has   heard   of   is   dead   ,   a   walking   carcass   filled   with   something   else   ,   something   sinister   .   this   builds   quiet   excitement   ,   a   thing   to   revisit   at   a   later   date   but   for   now   ,   he   stashes   this   feeling   away   .

❛ &   here   to   think   the   very   first   time   we   were   to   meet   it   would   be   under   different   circumstances   ,   ❜   he   partially   wonders   just   how   much   the   other   doesn't   care   anymore   .

  ❛ i   need   not   power   or   magic   ,   i   am   plenty   resourceful   in   myself   .   i   have   already   laid   out   the   terms   &   conditions   for   my   cooperation   &   in   exchange   for   that   i   will   unveil   her   secrets   , ❜   surely   something   his   future   self   would   be   annoyed   for   saying   ,   simply   for   having   to   suck   up   to   her   but   if   pure   .   .   .   whoever   this   cookie   was   stay   true   to   their   agreement   , he'll   push   through   .   as   he   always   has   .   ❛ do   i   have   a   name   for   my   employer   ?   ❜

[truthless-recluse]

How pitiful.

Did he really chase after such a cookie for so long? Did he seek acceptance from her, chase fleeting feelings all to be abandoned in the end like some unloved doll? It made his jam boil watch as she finally broke the silence. Listening to her pathetic...

Excuses.

But no, he had to keep his cool. To put on.. what was it his other half called it.. A poker face? Yes, that was right. Keeping his expression in a mock 'softness' with that slight smile and squinted eyecing.

"So.. knowing the dangers Shadow Milk Cookie possessed, you happily turned your back to me, and left me to his machinations? For a chance that perhaps that power could.. help?" Tap.. tap... he took a few more steps toward her, his staff echoing off the stones on the ground.

"It's too late for that now. He and I.. are one." He reached out, putting a hand under White Lily's chin to raise her eyes up to him. His pupils.. now slits.

"Shadow Milk Cookie? Pure Vanilla Cookie? One.. and the same. Each other an extension of the other." His head slowly tilted to the side as he spoke. The eye on his hat also staring right at White Lily Cookie.

"A shame you left those children with me as well... I know not where they landed, I'm afraid. I did unleash my full power upon them to expel them from the Spire of Deceit... Or as you know it, the Spire of All Knowledge." His smile began to fade.

"I tried to warn all of you. But none of you listened to the 'Fortune Teller'.. did you? That.. was me. Or the Me I would become." He gave a disappointed sigh, letting go of White Lily's chin.

"How naive you all were. And yet here we are now. Then again, I cannot blame you, my fate had been sealed since I was a child. You couldn't have known."

She could only stare as he spoke to her…Her hands trembling as her thoughts warp around her mind… Screaming at her with different thoughts of how this wasn’t Pure Vanilla, she wasn’t sure, it was him but something clearly went wrong and how she clearly made a mistake… A huge mistake.

The smile… It was wrong.. So very wrong…  The warmth of it was taken away; replaced by the coldness.

She felt sick to her core especially when she could pick apart the jester's influence.

The guardian only opened her mouth but no sound came out of it as the guilt chewed at her very essence… Tearing at it and taunting her that it was her own fault that the other fell, she shouldn’t have left the healer in the jester’s domain, knowing just how dangerous the beast was and how Pure Vanilla struggled against him during their first encounter with him.

But would have it mattered in the end..?  Regardless, this was the path she walked on… 

A path that kept leading to destruction in all different kinds because she wanted knowledge and no matter what; it was one where she couldn’t get off now regardless of how much she wished she could change the clock and prevent everything from happening.

Was her seeking knowledge such a crime?  A crime that was so punishable that everyone around her suffered from her mistakes?

“I only wanted to help...” White Lily finally spoke, the tone weak, and breaking the silence between them that felt like an eternity for the guardian but could have easily been a few seconds between them.

“I thought if I knew what the guardian’s power was capable of by researching and studying it… Then I could help and use the power given to me to help you and the rest of cookiekind.. I….”

Shouldn’t have left you.

[truthless-recluse]

"I.. did... didn't I." He hummed, feeling that even small trickle of power flow out from Shadow Milk Cookie to strengthen the strings he managed to summon. It was still.. baffling. How much power was now resting within his dough.

It was like comparing a mountain to a mere pebble. How he could have even hoped to stand against the jester as he was. There was no chance.

The Ancients wouldn't stand a chance if all of the Beast came to their full power like Shadow Milk had. Like.. They had.

Recluse leaned his head back, resting against Shadow Milk's head as well, his eyes focused on their intertwined hands as the strings wrapped around their fingers. Seeing them so bright... so strong.

"I will practice then, after all.. I want to make you proud, my Milky Moon.." Ah, yes, already cracking a nickname at the Jester. He even had a sly little grin the moment he said it.

"I can see it now, the thieves strung up like mere puppets. Mere playthings.. It sounds so... tantalizing. To make them dance on a stage of our making."

⋆.ೃ࿔*:･ ❛You did it!❜

He chuckled looking at the strings at formed around the ex-healers hand.It lacked strength but for a first attempt he couldn't be more proud.His thumbs brush tenderly over the back of Truth's hand.He'll lend some help diverting some of the excess power to himself.As the flow trinkled from Recluse to him he moved their hands abit.Letting them gain better control. The strings that were once britter solidified abit more.With it more refined it hummed in tune.

⋆.ೃ࿔*:･ ❛Tada!..Easy peasy .Don't worry practice makes perfect after all.This level of power is way beyond the pitiful amount you held before...It's only natural it'll take some time to settle into it but it would be worth it seeing my little moon flower bloom in their full power~ ❜

[truthless-recluse]

". . ."

The Truthless Recluse stares at the plush... what is the Sage of Truth getting at with this one? Sure it was... cute but..

He carefully picks the plush up, turning it over a few times.

"For what purpose did they make this...?"

Hm? What is this plush doing here?

[truthless-recluse]

Indeed, watching this cookies mannerisms was like putting together a puzzle. Perhaps his other half had the right intuition about this one. Not swayed by coin either, a far more valuable asset to them then. Though it may make negotiations a bit trickier.

Hearing them call his other half a 'patron god' however, was curious. Perhaps they thought he was some sort of group instead of acting on an individual. Which the later was the case.

Proof though...

"Perhaps this will be more proof for you of how serious We are." Raising his hands to his hood, slowly, the edges were taken into hand and pulled downward. Soft blonde icing pooled over his shoulders, whitening at the tips. His eyes.. tired, one blue, one gold, but darkened. And the diamond on his head had turned to a shade of blue.

If this Affogato Cookie was as informative as they believed.. he'd know exactly who he... had been.

"The other Beasts may have their minions and even armies, but.. We operate on a far more personal scale. If a choice had been made, you may have been speaking to both of Us, and not just one half." He hummed, looking over the others expression carefully.

"That can easily be arranged. Ingredients, knowledge, We are even willing to offer power and magic in exchange for everything you know of Dark Enchantress Cookie, and her plans. Possibly even future plans." His tone was even, almost.. bored sounding. But indeed...

He looked, and sounded just like Pure Vanilla Cookie. Yet something felt very.. very wrong.

'   we   '   .   yet   another   group   or   yet   maybe   even   a   cult   ?   the   coin   introduced   to   the   pot   goes   ignored   ,   half   listening   to   the   job   offer   .   there's   a   palpable   distaste   for   dark   enchantress   cookie   ,   something   that   warms   some   cold   part   of   his   jam   ,   enough   hatred   from   both   sides   of   the   coin   is   a   plus   side   .   that   is   ,   of   course   ,   if   he   says   yes   .  rejection   on   his   tongue   gets   swallowed   rather   quickly   at   the   introduction   of   a   newer   faction   .   the   beasts   ,   more   than   powerful   cookies   ,   their   legends   lie   in   history   books   .   so   ,   he   assumes   ,   a   cult   revolving   around   one   of   them   . 

❛ of   course   i   have   ,   i   assume   your   patron   god   is   one   of   them   .   if   your   beast   cookie   is   wandering   about   ,   surely   you   wouldn't   be   opposed   to   offer   proof   ,   ❜   now   if   this   stranger   could   .   .   .   ❛   i   will   more   than   happily   exchange   my   present   &   future   knowledge   of   dark   enchantress'   inner   workings   for   specific   ingredients   ,   each   report   will   be   rewarded   with   my   choice   of   component   .   ❜ offering   the   stranger   finally   his   full   attention   .   one   gloved   hand   props   up   his   face   ,   elbow   on   wood   while   the   other   tracing   the   rim   of   his   drink   .   ❛   come   now   ,   show   me   .   ❜

[truthless-recluse]

Affection...

What a strange concept to him. For so long he constantly sacrificed himself for others. Only to get nearly nothing in return. A thanks here or there.. But never so much as a pat on the back, or even acknowledgement from those he cared for the most.

It was almost as if the way he cherished his friends had been a one way road that he walked on alone.

But with the Jester... It was entirely different. As if he had his eyes open for the first time.

'Prized Gem'.. It caused the smallest smile to form on the normally stoic cookies face. He'd need to create a nickname for Shadow Milk... Maybe several. It was only fair, right?

He'd not fight as the Jester took his hands and moved them about, guiding them in front of him. He took note, watching as magic coalesced before Shadow Milk's hand before it shifted and molded into something usable. Such.. craftsmanship...

"Yes... I see." He sounded as if he was in awe, and.. he was. He had so much to learn from his other half.

He inhaled a deep breath, calling forth the magic they both shared now. As if coaxing a few droplets from a vast ocean. Dark shadows pooling around his own outstretched hand, his eyes narrowed in focus.

It was.. tricky. Trying to imagine what shape it could take, using his mind to pull and stretch them into strings as the Jester had done.

Then, he closed his hand, the magic flared to a bright blue life as faint, rather brittle strings came to form. Not so much attached anywhere, but rather pulling from the darkness and wound around his hand.

"Ha-...!" He blinked, letting out his held breath. It.. was a start.

He enjoyed the affection his other half gave.It was a wonderful feeling.Cuddling the other in glee he tilted his head listening Recluse.

⋆.ೃ࿔*:･ ❛Hmmmm....Okay!Anything for my prized gem. ❜

Shifting his position he remained hugging from behind,arms reach to grab Recluse's hand into his own.Carefully he guided the hands to stretch out before him.

⋆.ೃ࿔*:･ ❛Let's see...You my little flower need some practice.Baby steps of course.Hmmm focus on our magic feel it all around.Try to will it onto your hands.Make it tangible first and then try to shape it to your will.❜

He presented his own magic,Soul jam glowing all the while in resonace.His hands coated in a wispy dark flame coming together before it lightens up purifying into bright blue as it gained shape.Strings coat his hands,wrapping around his fingers as the ends of it brought up a little puppet he conjured of himself.

⋆.ೃ࿔*:･ ❛It's a extension of yourself.You can mold it and move it as you want.Attaching it to other's does gets some getting use to as they will pitifully move about but you can seize their movements.Bend those silly puppets to your will.❜

[truthless-recluse]

Ah.. that name.

A smile pulled at his lips as she uttered that name, his old name. And as he watched her, seeing that look of horror across her face, it almost gave him a twisted sense of satisfaction.

"Did I scare you, White Lily Cookie?" His smile was anything but kind toward her.

"I do apologize. Though... That is not my name. No longer. Pure Vanilla Cookie has been lost into the deepest, and darkest of the Abyss." His smile began to fade as he spoke. The energy rippling off him, the eyes populating his staff and staring at White Lily Cookie...

Even the shadows in his cloak and robes showed the tell tale signs of the Jester's influence.

"But, you did not answer my question. Was this research of yours so important.. that you abandoned me, and let me walk right into Shadow Milk Cookie's arms.. alone?"

White Lily Cookie felt her body freezing up when she heard the voice echoing behind her, the air making it more difficult for her to breath, her throat feeling tight and all of her senses screaming at her that something was wrong and she was in danger.

Very wrong but yet…

The voice was one that she was so familiar with… But yet it felt so wrong… Like a distortion within the water in a pond that one quite couldn't place their finger on it. 

Finally, she found the courage to slowly turn around, her staff in hand, as she faced the cookie that stood behind her.

Her eyes widened at the sight when she saw it was a Pure Vanilla Cookie.but… It was very clear that something was very wrong with the healer… Just like his voice… His appearance was wrong…

Very wrong…

Why was he here alone and………. What happened?

“P-Pure Vanilla Cookie...?”

[truthless-recluse]

The ashes of the puppets dissipated as they floated to the checked floor below them. Blown away into the shadows where they would no longer bother anyone. A tiny part of him ached at this, but he grit it back. Surely, it would get easier the more he embraced the Abyss.

The more he embraced Shadow Milk Cookie.

That weight on their shoulders as they wrapped them around him. That gentle squeeze pushing them together. He let out a soft, content sigh as he released his staff, letting it vanish, evaporating into shadow once more.

With both of his hands free now, one reached up to touch the Jester's arms, the other reaching up toward their face as his head leaned back to look at them side-long.

"A big role... Just as you do.. As WE do." He hummed a bit, eyes closing for a moment to just enjoy the proximity to the Jester he shared.

Is this what being a whole cookie really felt like? Sure, there was an.. emptiness... One he couldn't describe, but there was something much larger as well. Something he lacked with his old 'friends'.

"Shadow Milk Cookie?" His eyes opened for a moment, and he turned his head to look up to the floating jester.

"The strings.. will you teach me how to use them? I certainly cannot perform if I can not also ensure our future puppets dance to the right tune."

⋆.ೃ࿔*:･ ❛Awwww Nilly you are such a gem~ ❜

He replied happily gushing over the other's menacing behavior.The other was falling into their role perfectly.Oh he was so proud of him.He tugged on the strings letting the puppets suddenly combust into flames leaving only ashes.Floating behind Recluse he wrapped his arms around their shoulders in a hug. ⋆.ೃ࿔*:･ ❛Mmm the stage will be set don't you worry your precious little head!You have a big role to fill and I cannot wait to see those traitors realize the truth of their actions.❜

Enjoying the close proximity he remained latched to the priest.Ah it was such a wonderful feeling being whole once again.And with the other by his side ( rightfully so ) he couldn't wait to really shake things up.