sticksandbones | rest under the stars

Who: Peepaw + You cause lbr he's inviting everyone
What: Sleepover! In an outside blanket fort!
When: Time is wobbly
Where: Outside Peepaw's Place
Warnings: It's gonna be cute and loving

[ Life's been rough, come hang out at Pure Vanilla's in a blanket fort, which is what the little jot in the journal says. The quest was for loved ones, but Pure Vanilla loves all of them? So, blanket offering.

Literally. ]

Please come visit tonight and spend a moment of rest and relaxation with me, my dears! This month has been rough, and I feel we can all use it.

[ Those who show up will find one side of his Cookie Cottage absolutely turned into the largest blanket fort he can make it. Most of it is made up of wool blankets, but when he ran out of those, he's stolen extra blankets from the Inn, as well as stripped his house of them. Pillows and furs line the ground, and small shards of light that seem almost ethereal litter around the area. Some float in the air like small gleaming prisms, some are attached to the ceiling of the blankets like their own stars, while others sparkle gentle amongst the furs. Touching one for any length of time will make it fade into the person who touched it, and give them a sense of warmth and peace.

And there's food. Lots of it. Drinks too, carefully marked that they will aid you into sleep. Peepaw spent the entire day busy. And a bunch of various things to do to unwind with. Books to read, marshmallows to roast over carefully shielded fire pits (there's little magic circles around them to keep the fires magically going and safe), a record player with various records he borrowed. If you really want to fall asleep, he even had his things to make yarn dragged out, just be sure not to fall asleep mid-spin. And a little telescope or two set up from the School.

It really does look like a school camping trip...

There's also a larger shield around it all, near invisible in the moon and starlight, but it shimmers occasionally. People gathering in one spot is always a prime target, and he's not going to let his loved ones be hurt.

Vanilla will greet every one with a wide, happy smile and a hug. Get loved. ]

Thank you for coming!

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[ Oh he's glad Joshua is keeping those thoughts to himself because... he's not wrong. It becomes tangled and complicated, and it's the best and worst thing ever to happen. He sighs a little, fondly, as Joshua lets it go, then laughs gently. ]

Pesky, isn't it?

[ His tone is teasing and light, as he helps himself to the snack he had offered Shadow Milk, nibbling on it lightly, his eyes bright with amusement. ]

Especially for those of us who do not consider themselves when it comes to helping others.

[ He sighs in amusement, his eyes turning a little to find Cacao and Lily. The fondness is so strong there for a moment it's a wonder the air doesn't burst into hearts around him. ]

Yet we will always have those who desire nothing but our own well-being.

[ Oh, he can certainly feel the presence of those invisible little hearts. He knows that look well - he wears it often enough himself. In one sense, while looking at Clive, and more recently in another sense while looking to Dion. ]

It is a good balance, I think. It is hard to have one without the other.

[ He plucks a small berry from the plate, rolling it gently between his fingers and smiling fondly as he follows Pure Vanilla's line of sight. ]

Have you been with them long?

It is!

[ He beams with a different sort of magnitude, because Joshua has given him a chance to gush about the people he loves the most, and oh boy. ]

Centuries! Though only less than a year for anything romantic. They have been my closest friends for ages and Cacao himself had a hand in helping build my Kingdom. He was the one who urged me to make sure I had soldiers of a Cookie type, even though my mechanical helpers were sure to be all I needed.

[ He deepens his voice to try and impersonate Cacao, folding his arms and bowing his head, his expression stern. ]

"They are strong, but your mechanical contraptions can not think for themselves in the middle of battle. They cannot adapt to face a new threat, nor discern what may need to be the new focus." It was the most I had ever heard from him! He hand picked a few men and trained them himself.

[ He turns his head to look towards Cacao, his expression so very lost in love. Now look at him, dad'ing a grill. ]

I fear when my Kingdom fell, if it were not for the very soldiers he had picked, none of my people would have escaped.

[ Oh. Oh no, cute. He can see how that smile changes, and Joshua is glad that he asked. Pure Vanilla is full of so much love for everyone, but getting to hear him talking about his loved ones is a treat in itself.

And the impersonation makes him laugh, though it's soft and polite. He realizes that it's lighthearted, but he doesn't want to be rude! ]

It sounds as though he truly does look out for you. He seems like the cold, unmoving type on the outside, but...

[ Well. His eyes shift, following Pure Vanilla's, to the man operating the grill. That in itself is proof enough to debunk that. ]

It is very clear that he cares deeply for you. He has been by your side for so long, but he also knows when to tell you that you're making a poor decision.

Once you get to know him, you know he is nothing but sweetness and softness inside. The man yearns to protect the people he loves, the Kingdom he's worked so hard to build. He wants to offer them nothing but comfort and safety, shelter. Understanding. There is far more Compassion to him than meets the eye. You will find very few so reliable and sturdy, and so tender.

[ Vanillas sigh is the sigh of a schoolgirl so helplessly in love. Nevermind he's two thousand or so. He hm's and places his cheek in his hand, tilting his head and simply watching Cacao for a moment. Another sigh and he turns his attention back to Joshua, amused. ]

That is the bearer of Resolution for you. He will tell you, in so very few words, that you're being silly and foolish.

[ His gaze sharpens and he turns his head a little to hide his smile behind his fingers. ]

I daresay with enough time, your blonde haired man will be much the same way. He has the quiet conviction in him.

[ It's a type that Joshua can completely understand. Though not nearly as severe, Clive is the same way, he thinks - his brother's penchant to fold his arms and bore a hole into the ground as he thinks may come off a little intimidating to some, but he knows that Clive is soft as they come. He worries for others, doesn't hesitate to help when help is needed...

He parts his lips to comment, to say as much, to agree that Dark Cacao sounds like a wonderful man. To comment on how happy Pure Vanilla looks while looking at him. But then Pure Vanilla is hiding his smile, and the words that come out of his mouth set Joshua's ears burning. His eyes shift away, and he clears his throat lightly. ]

... he... has already let me know of some things.

[ Between him and Clive, he was able to realize that using his healing was only making them suffer, after all. He lifts his own hand to hide his lips, a soft, fond smile forming behind his fingers. ]

I have not known Dion nearly as long as you have known your friends. We met once, when we were nine years old, and we did not meet again until very recently. But I know that, despite all that he has been through, his kindness has remained intact, shielded behind his walls as it is. I can see it plain as day in his actions.

[ Ahahaha, he figured! It makes him laugh softly, but not unkindly, to the smile Joshua tries to hide from him. There is genuine affection there, even if the two barely know each other. ]

I do not doubt that.

[ His smile softens as he leans back, a hand coming up to idly stroke along Shadow Milks back, just gently giving the snake some love while he sleeps. ]

He also strikes me as the type of man who will, at times, need to be told plainly that he must rely on others. Lest he try to shoulder your pains by himself.

[ Joshua, he thinks you have a type. ]

Do not let him forget it.

[ There's a soft laugh to that. Oh, if only Pure Vanilla knew. He and Clive had gone over that exact thing with Dion the day that they realized he was here, having to reassure Dion that it is okay to lean on others. That it is better to lean on others, in fact.

Similar to Clive. Ah, maybe he does unconsciously compare the two... ]

You have the right of it. I do not think he is used to being able to lean on others, but hopefully, he is being convinced of that now. I have at least convinced him to allow me to treat his wounds, if nothing else.

[ His hand settles back down at the plate, letting that fond smile go unmasked. ]

I have made it my mission to ensure he is reminded regularly of several things. I will add that to the list, if need be.

Ah, stubborn men. Where would we be without them?

[ He sounds so fond, shaking his head gently, before pushing himself to his feet. ]

Rest, my dear, eat what you can, help yourself to the drinks. Enjoy the night.

[ A SMILE full of Peepaw mystery and secrets. ]

I dare say it might get better later on.

[ Does he know Dion is here? Will be here? Hehe. ]

And don't fear if you fall asleep out here, you will be safe. I promise. And your dreams will be uninterrupted and peaceful.

[ He bends and gives Joshua a little kiss on the head. The touch is very familial and affectionate. ]

If you need anything, do not hesitate to grab me or my spouses. We're here.

Likely nowhere. Stubborn men is unfortunately a Rosfield family trait.

[ It's a joke to match the fondness. He cannot deny his own role in the stubborn men trend.

The gentle kiss to his forehead is taken with a smile, though the promise of the night getting better later on does make him curious. But, Pure Vanilla is full of secrets, and he will not question it. ]

Thank you. I will do my best to rest and relax, I promise.

rest under the stars

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