sticksandbones | beach buds

Entry tags:

cookie run: white lily cookie

beach buds

Who: White Lily Cookie and You!
What: Vacation! And more?
When: Early-mid September
Where: The beach, more tba?
Warnings: talk of death, coping with a new disability

x. interlude (closed entirely)

( ... when she first proposed a time at the beach, it had been to pure vanilla and dark cacao, a vacation and... maybe a romantic getaway. some private time for the three of them to do what they wish and rest. god, they had needed rest. things would spiral though, time and time and time again- and then they were gone.

maybe it's fitting that she's ultimately at the shoreline alone.

it's a melancholy feeling... but that's something she's very used to, given her childhood. her early adulthood. her late adulthood. ... her life post resurrection. always wondering if she was intruding somehow.

perhaps it should trouble her, but lily finds herself feeling more at ease than she has in a long time. marble stays close, watching and listening where she cannot, and that, too, is peace. some days she just rests in the cabana the entire time. others, she wanders the shores with marble and vernal playing in the water or chasing the fruit sharks. ourania's statue overlooks the beach, and that, at least, feels warm in her heart.

...

is this the same lonely melancholy she's felt all her life? or is it the year of fresh grief, even for herself? regardless, even as it stings, she cannot help but smile to herself. sometimes, one has to let themselves be sad, after all. )

i. visitors!

( thankfully, it's not all solitary melancholy! whether it's reading in the cabana while curled up on mobile, examining tidepools or letting the water buffet her legs and hands, she is having a good time here. but as marble perks up and chirps a rumbly chirp at the new arrival, lily glances up with a big smile. )

Hello!

( marble will stretch her back and her wings while vernal bounces over to greet you. hi! hello! hello hihihiii!!! once the giant butterlfy cat is content she will also bound over on air or land to sneefsneefnseenfsneefsniff. ... you pass! hello! get pawed and headbutted!!! )

Oh, they're happy to see you, too.

ii. the return

( eventually though, the weather starts to turn, and she can't stay here all the time anyways. so on a slightly misty morning she returns on marble's back. the first thing she does is return to the cookie house where she checks on everyone, the hatchlings who've taken over what was clotted cream's room getting quite a bit of love especially since they could not join her.

once she checks on her little, broken family, she makes her way around town in no particular order- so it's a possibility she's at your door to visit, at your business or in the clinic checking supplies at her desk or drawing an array on the walls and doorframes in white chalk. regardless, she greets everyone with a warm smile. )

iii. wildcard

( you know the drill. )

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( was it vernal running around the house like a maniac or nene that alerted them? either way, one thing is clear: lily has resurrected. marble and eden make themselves readily available for the ride, nene taking point. it's not the same route that shadow milk took back, it feels longer- only by the time the sun's setting does the familiar silvery purple mist of the garden beckon. )

[This hadn't gone the way it should have. They were both so sure of the Warden's rules, but this is what he gets for making assumptions. It makes him mad, because once again that bastard has managed to pull the rug out from under him and he hasn't yet figured out a way to get even.]

[Either way, it goes without saying that he's packing up the moment they have some indication that she's in the Garden. Vernal reacting, and then followed by Nene's appearance. Shadow Milk is able to get Marble to cooperate enough that he thinks they can get to the garden without too much issue.]

[He's uncharacteristically quiet as they wait, but after a moment-]

It will take something from her. Be ready in case she needs us to carry her out.

[He grips the staff as the eye focuses on their surroundings, watching.]

[ He's been a bit despondent since they woke up and realized what happened. It wasn't incredibly obvious. He still went outside, he still spent time with the few people he's made something of a bond with, but between this and the state of his wings- burnt to the point he couldn't even hover...

Needless to say his thoughts went down dark roads when left by himself. That she was back was the best news he's gotten in the past little while and he--

Doesn't know how he feels about that. He's unwilling to analyze it. ]

Mm. Okay.

[ He can at least function as a crutch. What was left of his wings fluffed and flattened, showing his nerves. ]

( nene pauses and looks back at them both, promising they won't linger long. and into the mists she goes.

...

it's quiet, but the trees feel like they're closing in. waiting to snatch up their target as soon as possible.

...

and soon enough, out come nene and white lily, though lily seems almost dazed up until she spots them. she lets go of nene's hands in her rush to embrace both shadow milk and pavlova in her arms. (nene squawks indignantly and holds onto the end of her braid instead. it. it counts.) )

Thank goodness you're both okay!

[He watches her go with a soft "I'm counting on you, Flower Bud." Like this isn't a job she's done a hundred times before.]

[The waiting gets to him though, and his hair begins floating in agitation, even with it's shoulder length bob. Though he is blind and the eyes of the Other-Realm are closed, he can feel the way the Forest is gazing down on them. He refuses to shrink under that feeling.]

[There! He jolts forward, leaving his staff to float a bit on it's own as he drags her into his arms.]

Idiot, that's supposed to be my line!

[Ah, but he is looking her over. What did it take, what did it take.]

[ His dad darts to meet her, and after his agitation at waiting, Pavlova hangs back, wings tucked against his back as much as possible to delay the fussing.

He can wait anyway, with how they're acting they might need a moment.

That said, he too is watching her for whatever it took from her. Nothing seemed off at first glance, but... ]

( she said she's embracing both get over there, pavlova. actually you don't have a choice, she's reaching you with one arm regardless. )

What happened after the dream ended? I- Oh, Pavlova, your wings...

( it hurts to see his wings like that. its- if she had been stronger... ... lily leans into shadow milk, her arm wrapped around him while the other gently rests on pavlova's. )

...

It wasn't too long, was it?

[Ah… The relief he feels now that she’s solid in his arms. He drags an arm around Pavlova, too. He sighs.]

[It doesn’t look like it’s taken anything yet. Strange… the forest was pretty quick on him.]

The people woke up and rejoiced, making me their King for saving their silly little lives!

[He had a fantastic crash out while she faded away in his arms and woke up a pile of screaming viscous other-realm rage goo. And sulked for a while.]

[ He's not confirming nor denying the ridiculous claim, he just allows himself to be dragged in and huffs softly, his arms reaching around them ]

A lot of us came out burnt for some reason, but nothing too bad.

[ Aside from the state of his wings which he is pointedly not mentioning. He had a very quiet but very visceral meltdown over that in his room when he woke up. ]

Some are... managing better than others.

Oh, well, thank you, Your Majesty. ... That said, this changes nothing.

( he is hers, that's all there is to it. leaning into him, she sighs softly. nene behind her seems nervous. she can understand why. why hasn't the forest acted? or was it a memory stolen...?

...

she hold pavlova close. )

I'm so sorry. You shouldn't have had to endure any of that...

[The way he preens at being called Your Majesty. Huhu. He really is a sponge for attention, especially anything positive.]

[And then that possessiveness? Even better. His hair fluffs about pleased for a moment before he puts an arm around her and in a much more firm gesture, pulls her to him. Pulls Pavlova in next. His.]

We can assess the damage back home! This is a rotten place for a conversation, I think.

[Because he's also catching on, that its strange, that the Forest seems to be waiting.]

Frankly, at this point, if that fool has yet to act, he can pry you out of my stale, crumbled fingers.

[ Personally Pavlova doesn't think it's quite a good idea to tempt fate by mocking the guy when he can most certainly hear, but he agrees with the sentiment.

He's trapped in their embrace for a moment and it's... strange. He can tell there's possessiveness there, but it doesn't feel as much like a threat as it probably would have a month or two ago. He's not sure what to think about that. ]

It's... fine. It's not like you did it on purpose. And you can't really control what happens when we try to escape either.

[ It's not fine, but it's not on her. ]

... Let's go home. I'm sure the others missed you too.

Yes, let's...

( except is it really that simple?

no.

no it isn't.

suri doesn't have to pry her out of anyone's hands, doesn't have to touch her- a loud bang echoes through the woods and her ears are wet, the sound of even her own breathing silenced in an instant. shakily, she reaches up and- ah.

that's ~~jam~~ blood on her fingers. )

[GREAT GOOGLY FUCKIN MOOGLY WHAT WAS THAT.]

[Shadow Milk practically jumps out of his skin at the bang, nearly dropping his staff. Instead he gloms onto the other two like an angry hissing cat. An angry hissing cat that's beginning to shift into a pile of angry writhing shadows and tentacles]

FIGHT ME YOU COWARD, COME OUT HERE AND KILL ME AGAIN OR I'LL-

[...Oh god why is there jam on her ears. What just happened.]

Lily?

[ The boy's feathers fluff out at the sound, holding tighter to the other two as he tries to make sense of what just happened. The blood catches his attention, and it clicks. ]

... Your ears... did he take your hearing?

[ He's saying it to himself more than asking her, but he looks to his father a little helplessly. He's not sure what to do- he didn't bring anything to write on. ]

Ah...

( their mouths are moving, but

it's quiet. why is it quiet? a slow tremble works her way through her body as she realizes with each attempted word- )

I- I can't... hear you....

[OH, so that's how it was. It's a shame she cannot hear the deranged ranting of Shadow Milk as he becomes less and less recognizable and more like an angry pile of Eldritch goo.]

[He pulls himself back together after a moment, realizing perhaps cursing the forest where they can be harmed is a bad idea, maybe.]

We need to get out of here before I decide to pick an ACTUAL fight with this fool.

[Hands...hands come to take Lily by the shoulders. Let's go, let's get out of here before he writes a check his ass can't cash.]

[ He shut down a little bit as he let this horrifying fact settle in. Sure he was told that things were taken from you when you died here, but he wasn't expecting it to be so violent.

All he can think to do is to try and clean her up while they move. He'd been prepared to deal with an injury, but he'd hoped it wouldn't come to this.

He follows them as they leave, unwilling to stick around after that. ]

( nene holds on to lily as well, as is her role in this, and lily can only let herself be guided and held as her gaze grows distant, shaky, is she even there? is anything? she can see shadow milk's angry, and pavlova- pavlova... )

... I'm sorry...

[Nene leads but Shadow Milk does not let go of her. His hands around her shoulders, fingers pressing into her skin just a little. He's upset and angry but he's getting it together. They have to get out of here first before he blows up-]

[Lily will hear Shadow Milk's voice in her head. Hopefully it's not too painful after her ears rupturing.]

Stop apologizing. Wasn't I the one who put the blade through your heart?

[One hand also reaches out for Pavlova, to keep both of them within reach, as if telling the forest if you try to take either one of them from him, the Forest will regret.]

[ He feels his father reach for him distantly. It jars him enough to plaster a smile on as he finishes fussing over the blood. It's not perfect, but it would stem the blood flow. Head injuries bleed a lot.

He doesn't seem to know where to be in relation to them, so he tucks against his father's side, fluffy little head bonking against his shoulder.

... She's crying... he holds out a spare, clean piece of cloth. No reason to apologize when shes not at fault. ]

( white lily jolts, finally realizing pavlova had been taking care of her... the mounts race through the woods, following the scent of home as the forest laughs and laughs and laughs-

AREN'T YOU HAPPY I LET HER LAST HEARD WORDS BE LOVING? )

...

( shadow milk's voice in her head makes her startle again- it rings where she'd once had even the sound of nature dampening the silence of existence. )

... I let you... I thought that it would work...

[Lily doesn't get a chance to come find Verso. The second he hears whisper that she's returned to town, he finds her as she works on the clinic. He doesn't say anything at first (though he does give a wave to make sure she knows he's there). For a long moment, he just appraises her.

And then he pulls out a piece of paper. Not one from the netbook, he isn't going to air this conversation out for the public. But he does quickly write — in his too neat, too pretentious handwriting:]

Welcome home.

Edited 2025-09-23 00:23 (UTC)

( lily perks up the moment she catches sight of him, beaming practically. he'll note that while her stupidly long hair is still in a braid, it seems... looser, a little more relaxed. )

Verso! I've missed you. And you always have such lovely handwriting~.

( ...

she is putting the chalk down and is going to hold out her arms. hug. )

[Stoic as Verso might try to appear, no one can say no to White Lily. He steps forward, embracing her just as she asked for. Maybe even a little tighter than he should. Writing is one thing — it's good to see her and know that she's mostly in one piece.

She might not be able to hear his sigh, but she'll probably feel the way it rustles her loose hair. It's enough to stir him from whatever turmoil always seems to roil within him. He steps back and scrawls out.]

No funny business at the beach, then?

[Kyojuro is doing his usual 4 dozen laps around the village when he spots a... new face approaching. Rather than having to come to him, he approaches her with a broad grin and all the confidence in the world.]

Hello! I don't believe we have had the pleasure of speaking!

[He's going to feel so silly once he knows.]

( it's a good thing he came from the front, or she would totally miss his greeting. lily pauses, surprised and then... she frowns, holding her staff close. )

I-I'm sorry. I'm not sure if you've seen the netbooks... I am White Lily Cookie. I- have been recently rendered deaf.

[The way Kyojuro's eyes go wide(r) is almost comical. He holds up a single finger before promptly sprinting into the distance. Somewhere out there, Joshua is sighing in exhaustion. He's not supposed to be exerting himself like this, after all.

But within a few moments, he's back with a few pieces of paper and a pen. It takes him only a second to write out, in the biggest letters imaginable:]

APOLOGIES, MISS WHITE LILY COOKIE!

[Yeahhh, maybe that gives her a sense of who it is?]

--?

( goodness, he's energetic. she'll wait as he asked though, and then... oh. oh-! lily laughs softly. )

I recognize you now. No need to apologize! Though, I don't believe I got your name?

[Oh, there's a brief flicker on his face, sheepishness taking him briefly. He quickly scrawls something out on the paper.]

Kyojuro Rengoku! It is a pleasure! [He pauses for a moment, then adds:] Are you familiar with sign language?

It's lovely to meet you in person, Kyojuro. And I am, yes! I've been refreshing my knowledge while I was away.

[He perks up all the more at that, carefully folding up the paper in his hands and tucking it into his pocket. Though some of the motions are a bit unpracticed, he seems proficient enough in his signs.]

We often communicated like this during the corps, so as not to draw attention from the enemy. I am glad we could find a way to mutually communicate with one another. [His smile is broad and warm.] How was your trip, then?

( oh! lily brightens up considerably. )

How wonderful to use it for something kinder, then... And it was lovely, if not a bit lonely sometimes. But the clear ocean air helped a lot, and I do so love the wildlife on the shore. I'm glad to be back, though.

I am glad, then, that you were able to enjoy something so serene. I have not been here long, but I understand things have been difficult of late.

[He's picked up so much from just casual conversation around the Grove. He can't imagine shouldering so much for so long.]

Is there anything I can get you? To help you adjust to being back, or even to help with your current condition.

[It's out and about in the Grove that Min-Gi spots Lily. He hadn't expected to see her back yet, but that doesn't mean it isn't a welcome surprise. He waves to catch her attention.]

How are you?

[He hasn't had much chance to learn sign yet, but it's not too tough to memorize a few basic signs.]

Edited 2025-09-24 03:21 (UTC)

( lily smiles while vernal, her dachsologie bouncing around happily. )

Min-Gi! Hello! I'm doing well. Have you been practicing?

[He nods, giving Vernal a quick pat if she wants it. Unfortunately his sign is still limited, so he reaches for the notebook he uses to write his music in.]

A bit. I'm still learning.

[ Reasonably Lily is probably at the house for Till or Mephisto, but neither one are the dark-haired boy who answers the door.

He was not expecting her either judging by the way he stays half behind the door for a moment. Assessing her threat level. Of course, he doesn't know who she is, so he doesn't know about her new condition ]

Who are you?

[ The "Why are you here?" Is implied ]

( oh, a new face... she may seem rather unassuming, frail thing that she is. lily smiles a bit sadly. )

I'm sorry, I'm afraid I can't hear you. I've been rendered deaf recently. But... ah, I was here to visit Till and Mephisto? They're very dear to me, and I've been away. I'm White Lily Cookie. It's nice to meet you!

[ There's a bit of a surprised blink when she mentions Mephisto, one that turns guarded rather quickly, but he doesn't say anything given she wouldn't be able to hear him. It takes him a minute or so to consider, but he does open the door, standing aside.

... she may notice the crossbow Mephisto used to have is now securely in this boy's hand.

He has to dig around for a notepad, and his writing is... shaky. Like he rarely held a pencil. Not everything is spelled correctly either, but it's clear enough what he means. ]

I'm Faust. Mephisto is my best friend.

[ He's not sure if Mephisto has actually mentioned him to anyone or not, but he's here now, and he'll protect his friend as best he can ]

Till is out, Mephisto is asleep.

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beach buds

closed to cookie house, pre vacation (the garden)

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ii

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