crumbl cookies but in real life

[clottedcream]

[ The handwriting that shows up in the journal is... not new, not exactly, but decidedly... well. Careful and precise as can be, but it's very clear that the person writing it is not currently writing with their dominant hand. Either that, or it's someone with horrible handwriting. ]

Hello. This is Clotted Cream Cookie.

Pardon my handwriting. It is, admittedly, not as clear and practiced as I'd like it to be. The forest has taken my arm from me.

I am looking for anyone who has experience in... this. Losing an arm. Adjusting to the loss in day to day life. I'm afraid it puts me at a considerable disadvantage.

[ If he sounds like he's taking this well, it's only because he's practiced it. He's not. ]

Comments

[clottedcream]

[ There is an uncharacteristically heavy breath let out at those words. Purely on reflex, of course, and he's quick to ignore it as he's clearly just not in sorts today, but it's... good to hear that. Far better than the alternative. ]

I am glad to hear it, Dark Cacao Cookie. I will go to great lengths to see that my Republic is able to flourish and the Cookies of Earthbread are well-equipped to handle the looming threat of Dark Enchantress Cookie. But that does not mean I will disrespect your property in the process.

[winterfrosting]

Hm.

[He sips his tea again, debating his next words]

Earthbread... is a very different place now then it was when my friends and I set out on our adventures.

[A simple statement that could mean many things]

[clottedcream]

[ It could mean many things, indeed. Clotted Cream is content to let it sit for a moment, pondering those words as he takes a sip of his own tea. ]

I would very much like to hear about it, if you're feeling up to telling the tale.

[winterfrosting]

[He chuckles]

I am not the storyteller Hollyberry Cookie is. I would at least likely put you back to sleep.

... those days are past. Back then, protecting Cookiekind was simpler. Fight beasts and dragons and the occasional enraged godling. But never our own. Cookies like your father, or my former advisor... or Dark Enchantress Cookie... that was never something we need handle. Perhaps that is why we did not catch what was happening to White Lily until... until it was far too late.

[He has to take a moment, sighing. He misses her. He misses his friends and the world he knew]

The world has moved on.

[clottedcream]

[ ... ah. So that's what it is. Clotted Cream smiles around the lip of his mug, and is silent for a moment as he settles it back down on the table. ]

The world has moved on from such times, indeed. However, the world is still here, and you are still here in it. The threats are greater now, more severe. Protecting Cookiekind is even more important now than it ever has been, wouldn't you say? The task may have grown to gargantuan proportions... but it is still a task worth doing. And you aren't alone in doing it.

[winterfrosting]

[He's glad Clotted Cream understands. That he doesn't need to outright apologize for what was, to be fair, a reaction to a very real slight. He's not sure his pride could bear it]

As long as I have not crumbled I will keep defending them. But... it is good to know younger cookies are willing to keep the fight going, in their ways. I hope we can continue to be allies.

...against all kind of threat.

[That last bit a bit more intently said- he hasn't forgotten they were originally talking about CC's nightmares]

[clottedcream]

[ They were indeed talking about his nightmares... And Clotted Cream hasn't forgotten about that, either. The comment gets a smile, a little more genuine than the default that's usually plastered on his face. Not that that smile isn't genuine, of course, but it's considerably more practiced. ]

I, for one, would dream of nothing less.

[ He pauses, taking a sip of his tea. ]

I am glad that we were able to clear the air. And, for what it's worth, I am sorry for the way that I have handled matters in the past.

[winterfrosting]

Thank you, I appreciate it.

[ and he really does. It's amazing what a little ego soothing can do for hurt pride.]

Hmm... this tea is working well. I should return before Vanilla notices I am gone.

[clottedcream]

Ah, is it? Good. My mission was successful, then.

[ Not that he'd come into the kitchen with that mission, but! It seems to be working well on him, too. Partially the tea, and partially just getting a little weight off his shoulders. ]

I hope you are able to sleep well, Dark Cacao Cookie. Thank you for the company.

[winterfrosting]

[He nods with a slight 'hm']

Do not stay up too late if you can help it. Healing requires rest.

[clottedcream]

[ Oh? He laughs softly, kindly. ]

Dont worry. I will certainly try to get more rest very soon. Trying is all I can do.