sticksandbones | New netbook, who this?

Entry tags:

New netbook, who this?

Who: Dark Cacao Cookie and YOU
What: exploring town
When: late-March
Where: netbook and around the Grove
Warnings: will update if needed!

[ so if you happen to glance at your notebook at some point you might catch some writing, very very NICE writing (like someone that probably practices calligraphy, though it's slightly shaky) popping up.

First are a series of numbers that might be recognizable as measurements? Size-wise it's a decent sized space. In fact, it's a very estimated yard-age of the Grove. Then: ]

12 buildings + 1 across the river
various states of repair
no apparent defenses outside the fog wall/forest itself
river seems to be clean enough as a water source. various washed up debris?

[And here, have the beginnings of a map forming! Looks like someone doesn't realize this is a communication device, oops]

[And if anyone goes out looking for the mysterious writer they will find a tall man in full armor walking around taking notes like a fricken OSHA inspector?? If you were there when he arrived you might recognize him as they angry yelling sword man, but he looks much calmer now. Thankfully]

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[ Good Cookie. Pure Vanilla looks pleased, and settles in to pick and nibble at his own. ]

Some. I have discovered my previous self was making headway in rudimentary forms of magic here in the Grove, learning how to twist the energies into healing. I have also procured a spell that speaks of balancing the energies within someone, which I am hoping I will be able to at least stall the corruption for a time.

[ There's the enthusiasm that he used to share with White Lily when they were younger, late nights in their hidden garden, sharing what they have learned. He brushes his fingers off against his robe and reaches out to some books, flipping a few pages. ]

As well as a good many books detailing the herbology here. Though I am unsure yet if they may help, learning what I may will never hurt. It is the Forest itself, after all. And-

[ A pause, and he reaches into a hidden pocket in his robe to pull out the envelope with the pressed white lily and the plain note with a simple warning: Beware the Fog, which he lays on the table. ]

[ he listens quietly as his friend talks, a tiny almost smile on his face. Him and Lily both always would get so excited over such things... it makes him nostalgic. The only magic he's ever managed is some very basic elemental lightning, but he's always found it an important art. He wouldn't have taken Affogato on as an advisor if he didn't, after all.

That envelope though-]

White Lily...

[ he takes the pressed flower between his fingers with utmost delicacy]

Yes... We were married here, later on in our life. I have found letters speaking as such. But she... The Lily that lived here became possessed by the corruption, I believe.

[ The headboard where he would have slept, split and broken, the letters speaking of Lily's bizarre behavior near the end. Now this, a dire warning, with a lily left behind. Dark Cacao won't need to be a mind reader to know the paths Pure Vanillas thoughts are taking. Dark Enchantress, does history repeat? He fiddles with his food, but at least he finishes his portion of the lemonade. ]

Yet it would seem she is still trying to warn me. I am unsure of what the Fog is entirely, yet I believe the creature controls it - or mayhap is controlled by it. If you approach the Lake, and pull too close to the Fog, there are... things on the other side that try to reach out. Their intentions do not seem of good will. It may be that the Fog itself is the creature.

[ Idle musing, as Pure Vanilla hasn't yet found anything to corroborate this idea. ]

[He nods, not surprised by this apparent marriage. In a world of peace with no darker knowledge to tempt... yes, he would expect such an outcome.

But even in this so called past life darkness reared it's head.]

It reminds me somewhat of the Licorice Sea. A malevolent will of it's own.

... do not be tempted to follow either Lily's course in this, Pure Vanilla Cookie.

[He worries, but his tone is perhaps a bit harsh.]

Yes, I-

[ Oh. Holy Witches, perceptive bugger. For a moment Pure Vanilla looks startled, looking towards his friend in surprise. Not in the harsh tone but just at the fact he sees the direction Pure Vanilla is desiring to go. His expression softens after a moment, but his brow furrows as he turns his head away. He's silent for a moment, his fingers curling against the desk.

When he replies, his voice is small. ]

I have the chance to help. Two people are already corrupted here. A young girl, Nene... oh Dark Cacao Cookie, if you could see her soul. It's so bright, so beautiful, but it's being suffocated by the creature. I must find a cure...

And you will. I have faith in that. But it does no good to exchange your well being for her own.

[He's being very stony on this. He already lost a dear friend to this kind of thinking, he will NOT lose another]

[ The sigh that follows that is soft. He hasn't told Dark Cacao he already attempted to do so... ]

I... promise you, I will make sure I do not become consumed by this.

[ Dark Cacao better stick around for a while now, because otherwise Pure Vanilla won't be beholden to that promise. ]

Very well. I will trust in you.

[He pushes more of the food over, making sure to take a bite himself. As if PV needs to be shown what to do]

[ The food being slid over makes him smile faintly, and he'll go back to lightly picking at it - but only after Dark Cacao eats a bit himself. ]

... I am glad you are here, my dearest friend. I fear what I may become with you.

[That makes him smile in turn]

You would do what you feel is right, just as you've always done.

[ Ah that makes him laugh a little. ]

Which is hole myself up inside a library for days to the point I worry my friends?

Yes. It's good to see you are self aware.

[... was that a joke]

[ Pure Vanilla knows that's exactly what it is, and it makes him laugh again, louder and happier this time. ]

Ah, how could I not be with you around to keep me humble?

[ Look at that, though, it's done wonders on his appetite and he stops picking to actually begin to eat. ]

[he chuckles]

It is a duty I take on happily.

[he eats in contented silence for a bit before:]

There seem to be some areas beyond the Grove that are not fog shrouded. I intend to investigate them for myself soon. Once I adjust to this body.

I will go with you. I have yet to explore out further myself, and to speak with the Guardians is something I desire if I wish to obtain as much information as I may. The Moon seems connected to healing here as well as it was back home, so I wish to ask them about the Moon and how to contact the God of it.

[ Plus with Wolfwood's death and Vash disappearing, Pure Vanilla has a touch of Cacao-paranoia at his friend going off and disappearing himself. ]

[he gives an agreeable sound at that. He wasn't going to ask, but it's a comfort to have backup regardless]

It seems you have a leg up on the magic here then.

Edited 2024-03-22 18:27 (UTC)

[ Good, no arguement. It sets his mind at ease. ]

Hm, mayhaps, though the Moons are different enough every night that I feel I will have to relearn everything I once knew.

[ He turns to the other more thoroughly now, investigating him a little with his actual eyes, like he did Clotted Cream. Peering at the Truth of him. ]

Speaking of, how are you feeling? You do not seem to have suffered any changes beyond physical. Is your Souljam still communicating with you?

[ A touch of wariness there... ]

[seeing Vanilla's eyes is always a heavy thing, and he silently takes up the Chocoblade and puts it across his lap so his friend can See it as well. His hand stokes over the hilt and Souljam with both affection and reverence]

Not directly. But it rarely does. Even before...

[before it cracked. Before he stopped listening]

... well, the last time was when the Wall was breached.

[ Though he won't say it, there's a rush of relief at that. Good. The Beast that shares his Souljam hasn't awakened or attempted manipulation. He studies the jam silently. Nothing but pure powerful resolution.

He reaches out to gently touch Dark Cacaos hand to the comment on the wall, his voice soft. ]

I'm sorry, my friend. I wish I had gone in Gingerbraves stead, to have been there to aid you. And yet, as strange as it may sound, I am glad it is silent. Please tell me if it begins to get vocal. It may not be a good thing.

[his eyes narrow slightly]

What happend that day was my harvest to reap, for good or ill. But... is there something you are not telling me?

But, my friend, you are not alone, and should not have to bear your burdens by yourself.

[ He sighs to the question and rubs the small of his back. Ah he's getting old. ]

Our Souljams... are merely small fractions of much larger powers, that were wielded by Cookies gifted them by the Witches, to lead Cookiekind with benevolence.

[ And he stops, hesitating. ]

[he says nothing. Simply crosses his arms and leans back in his seat, waiting]

[ Bless the other Cookie, it lets him gather his thoughts. ]

... What was told to me [ But is it true, Deceit comes with truth, which side is right, witches eat cookies ] is that the power was too much, and the Cookies became Corrupted. Maddened Beasts Oven-bent on destroying the world and Cookiekind. To save the rest of the Cookies, the Witches that granted them their powers stripped them away, locked the Beasts inside a Silver Tree in Beast-Yeast, and send the pure pieces of the Corrupted Jams out into the world, to find new wielders.

[ Them. ]

The Beast that had managed to break the seal on the tree... was the previous owner of my Souljam. Knowledge corrupted into Deceit, with Truth remaining. He was... able to speak to me through my Souljam.

[His brows knot more and more as Vanilla speaks.]

So our souls are... connected to these 'Beasts' then? Through the Jam?

[That's.... very bad! Deceit is the inverse of Truth... so he can theorize what would be the twin to his Resolution... and already he can feel dread in his new meaty belly]

[ A nod is the answer, Pure Vanilla closing his eyes again and staring idly through his Staff to no where in particular. He picks at his robes gently, before admitting: ]

I am unsure I would have been able to resist his influence for long. I was becoming unable to pick his Lies out from the Truth. If your Souljam begins to speak to you, and the Light of Resolution seems Apathetic, if you begin to feel your Resolution waver and the pull of Apathy becomes too strong, lean on me. I beg of you.

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