[ Chantilly doesn't run from the attempt, but he does bristle. Upset like his owner was. ]
Stardust Cookie?
[ The question of what he's doing here goes unasked, but it's clear enough from the confused tone. The somewhat rusted metal of the cage clanked as he put it back, the flowers inside climbing up the cage bars.
Konpeito is at his feet, but he barely takes his eyes off Stardust as he bends to pick them up ]
[Stardust hurriedly rises to his feet, clearing his throat. though he is scared and hurt, he's also kind of angry. but he's doing everything he can to not let that anger explode. he doesn't want to do that, not again]
Pavlova Cookie.
[Konpeito purrs in Pavlova's arms. friends! we're friends, right? that's what Stardust wants to ask]
I. Am not sure what I said. Though, it is evident that one of my questions during the game upset you. For this, I apologize.
[ He's quiet a moment as he listens to the apology. He's not mad anymore- really he'd swiftly moved into "this may as well happen" depression and had shut himself inside. Not that it made him want to talk about it. ]
Long story short, I just broke an enchantment that had me stuck as a young cookie for hundreds of years.
[ The way his wings move to shield him makes it clear he thinks he'll get mocked for it ]
I don't want to talk about it. It's weird enough with the others knowing me as a child.
[Konpeito stops purring the moment Stardust's shock affects them. an enchantment? this raises so many questions. he wants to know more, but Pavlova does not wish to talk about it! so, Stardust must honor his request, and try not to sate his own curiosity]
I... see. You do not have to talk about it. I simply wished to apologize to you. That is all. I'm sorry.
[Konpeito looks up at Pavlova with big eyes, then nuzzles against him]
[ Konpeito gets many pets. Ugh. they are so cute. ]
It's not your fault, you didn't know.
[ Absolutely brutal way for it to come out, but he can't exactly be mad at him for something he hadn't even told him. It would be different if it were done on purpose. Things are alright between them at least, even if Pavlova still isn't in the best mood about it.
He sits down on a bench and pats the spot beside him since Stardust seemed to be keeping his distance otherwise. ]
[is... is it alright to approach? Stardust wants to, so after a second, he walks over and sits down on the bench. Konpeito is loving the affection]
No, I didn't.
[any anger that he was carrying before is gone now, and he simply looks defeated. he wishes to cheer Pavlova up somehow. but how could he do that?]
To be honest, there are a lot of things that I don't know. Not only about you, but about... the world, in general. I spent my entire life in space. My dough was baked by the stars, and the stars told me where I came from. My entire being was consumed with finding my birthplace. I traveled for eons searching for it, and then, even after I found it, I realized it was not a place I could call home anymore.
I've only ever known one place. A garden, filled with flowers and mulled juice baths and cotton candy clouds, where the sun never set and the only danger was what would happen if you tried to leave. A lovely gilded cage.
[ He skirts around too many details, but it's something. Chantilly mrrps as he flops behind Stardust's legs. Pavlova idly runs his fingers through Konpeito's fur, trying not to react too much. ]
So I can't say I know that much either, just what I've read and what our guests told me. I'm sure you'll get the hang of things... but if you want to know more about Earthbread in general...
[Stardust looks down at Chantilly. he doesn't know how to say what he wants to say, here, but that is probably for the best right now.
why are they both so sad? Stardust wishes to help with Pavlova's predicament, but he doesn't even know how to help himself! it's tricky]
Yes, I suppose so. If you do not wish to help me anymore—which, I will completely understand if you don't—I will ask them. And, I will be more careful in the future, so that I do not hurt anyone again.
It's not that I don't want to, I'm just not sure I'll have answers for you.
[ He's not so upset that he'd deny him help or cut ties. Compared to what he's been through this is incredibly mild. ]
If you want to ask me, I won't stop you.
[ If he's honest he doesn't know what the point of learning about Earthbread would be while they're stuck here indefinitely... but he supposes Stardust still wants to return. ]
[he turns his body a bit, reaching out to pat Konpeito who is still in Pavlova's lap. they look so happy to be there. Stardust raises his eyes to look at Pavlova's face]
What I mean is, mmn... I value your opinions. You do not have to know about Earthbread to know what we're dealing with here, correct? As I've said before, I've barely spent any time on Earthbread, myself. I'm here now, and you've been here longer than me. So, anything I can learn from you would be... helpful.
[there's plenty of time to learn about Cookies from Pavlova's friends, too. but Stardust would prefer to learn other things from Pavlova!]
[Stardust is surprised by the sudden hand on his own. he isn't expecting it, but it makes him feel very warm. no one's ever held his hand before, not comforting, like that.
he almost does not know what to say, he just stares at their hands for several seconds before looking back up at Pavlova's face]
...Then, I'd like to keep talking to you. I enjoy... your company.
[he's relieved. he thought Pavlova might hate him!]
They're family actually. My father, step-father and step-mother.
[ Not quite the same. ]
And I have made a couple friends here, but... I'm still figuring out how to approach them after breaking the enchantment. They don't seem too bothered, at least.
[ They also are not from their world, which is what he'd been referring to. ]
[ Shouldn't doesn't mean they won't. He's seen how vicious people can be both inside and outside of the Garden. He knows that it not being purposeful doesn't always hold weight. At least it's been enough time now that he's starting to think people won't be too terribly judgmental.
He's not going to tell anyone more than the bare minimum though. ]
I guess so. I'm not the only one who's had weird things happen. That doesn't make it feel any less overwhelming though. Like people are staring even if they aren't.
[ Even so, he responds to the squeeze with one of his own. It's nice... to feel supported like this. ]
[Stardust at least had the support of many stars before, even if they were all misguided at one point. but holding hands, like this? offering someone else comfort? it's very new. Stardust likes it, though. he looks away, tilting his head upwards]
I'm sorry... I Do not know what else to say in these circumstances. But, if you ever wish to tell me more, just know that I won't judge you.
[he wouldn't, anyway, but he also doesn't have that right. he's done bad things. he's harbored ill-will. he's been suspicious, jealous]
[ 'i won't judge you' he says. Pavlova hesitates, then looks to him ]
I could be evil, you know. I could have hurt or crumbled cookies, or worse. Are you sure you wouldn't judge me?
[ Stardust would be fully within his right to, but that's the point. Saying he won't when he knows nothing about him... is setting himself up for failure. ]
[fortunately, for Stardust, not a single Wizard remained in the City. there were some Cookies, but they were unharmed. Stardust, himself, was the only one who got hurt, in the end]
Mm, well... to make a long story short, they were originally Cookies created to embody certain virtues to lead and protect cookiekind, but they all became corrupted, driven mad by their own virtues in one way or another.
Two of them baked me, and I served for thousands of years as my mother's right hand. Which meant I watched and helped her imprison who knows how many cookies within her garden under the pretense of keeping them safe and happy.
[ Not to mention that he was just as much a prisoner. It's hard to excuse himself with that knowing how much fun he had with some of it. How comfortable he became with the pecking order. ]
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[ Chantilly doesn't run from the attempt, but he does bristle. Upset like his owner was. ]
Stardust Cookie?
[ The question of what he's doing here goes unasked, but it's clear enough from the confused tone. The somewhat rusted metal of the cage clanked as he put it back, the flowers inside climbing up the cage bars.
Konpeito is at his feet, but he barely takes his eyes off Stardust as he bends to pick them up ]
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Pavlova Cookie.
[Konpeito purrs in Pavlova's arms. friends! we're friends, right? that's what Stardust wants to ask]
I. Am not sure what I said. Though, it is evident that one of my questions during the game upset you. For this, I apologize.
[this apology is genuine, even if he's confused]
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Long story short, I just broke an enchantment that had me stuck as a young cookie for hundreds of years.
[ The way his wings move to shield him makes it clear he thinks he'll get mocked for it ]
I don't want to talk about it. It's weird enough with the others knowing me as a child.
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I... see. You do not have to talk about it. I simply wished to apologize to you. That is all. I'm sorry.
[Konpeito looks up at Pavlova with big eyes, then nuzzles against him]
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It's not your fault, you didn't know.
[ Absolutely brutal way for it to come out, but he can't exactly be mad at him for something he hadn't even told him. It would be different if it were done on purpose. Things are alright between them at least, even if Pavlova still isn't in the best mood about it.
He sits down on a bench and pats the spot beside him since Stardust seemed to be keeping his distance otherwise. ]
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No, I didn't.
[any anger that he was carrying before is gone now, and he simply looks defeated. he wishes to cheer Pavlova up somehow. but how could he do that?]
To be honest, there are a lot of things that I don't know. Not only about you, but about... the world, in general. I spent my entire life in space. My dough was baked by the stars, and the stars told me where I came from. My entire being was consumed with finding my birthplace. I traveled for eons searching for it, and then, even after I found it, I realized it was not a place I could call home anymore.
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I've only ever known one place. A garden, filled with flowers and mulled juice baths and cotton candy clouds, where the sun never set and the only danger was what would happen if you tried to leave. A lovely gilded cage.
[ He skirts around too many details, but it's something. Chantilly mrrps as he flops behind Stardust's legs. Pavlova idly runs his fingers through Konpeito's fur, trying not to react too much. ]
So I can't say I know that much either, just what I've read and what our guests told me. I'm sure you'll get the hang of things... but if you want to know more about Earthbread in general...
[ He nods his head to the house ]
My parents likely could help you with that?
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why are they both so sad? Stardust wishes to help with Pavlova's predicament, but he doesn't even know how to help himself! it's tricky]
Yes, I suppose so. If you do not wish to help me anymore—which, I will completely understand if you don't—I will ask them. And, I will be more careful in the future, so that I do not hurt anyone again.
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It's not that I don't want to, I'm just not sure I'll have answers for you.
[ He's not so upset that he'd deny him help or cut ties. Compared to what he's been through this is incredibly mild. ]
If you want to ask me, I won't stop you.
[ If he's honest he doesn't know what the point of learning about Earthbread would be while they're stuck here indefinitely... but he supposes Stardust still wants to return. ]
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[he turns his body a bit, reaching out to pat Konpeito who is still in Pavlova's lap. they look so happy to be there. Stardust raises his eyes to look at Pavlova's face]
What I mean is, mmn... I value your opinions. You do not have to know about Earthbread to know what we're dealing with here, correct? As I've said before, I've barely spent any time on Earthbread, myself. I'm here now, and you've been here longer than me. So, anything I can learn from you would be... helpful.
[there's plenty of time to learn about Cookies from Pavlova's friends, too. but Stardust would prefer to learn other things from Pavlova!]
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[ Is that what he was trying to get at? He was wondering why he was taking that so seriously. He hadn't realized there was a topic shift. ]
I'm... not sure why you value my opinions over anyone else's, but I never retracted my help. I'll still tell you things. I'm not mad at you.
[ If only to emphasize his point, he rests a hand on Stardust's own, giving it a squeeze. ]
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he almost does not know what to say, he just stares at their hands for several seconds before looking back up at Pavlova's face]
...Then, I'd like to keep talking to you. I enjoy... your company.
[he's relieved. he thought Pavlova might hate him!]
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I worry how people will react when they find out, sometimes. It wasn't my choice, but that doesn't always matter.
[ As an explanation for why he hid. ]
... But if it doesn't bother you, then it would be nice. I enjoy your company as well. It's been a while since I've been friends with someone.
[ As much as he wanted to count Sugarfly, he doesn't know how she feels about anything now that she's left. ]
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Aren't the other Cookies here... your friends?
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[ Not quite the same. ]
And I have made a couple friends here, but... I'm still figuring out how to approach them after breaking the enchantment. They don't seem too bothered, at least.
[ They also are not from their world, which is what he'd been referring to. ]
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They shouldn't be. This is the real you, isn't it?
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It is, but they knew me as child. It's a pretty drastic change. I'm not exactly the same as I was personality-wise.
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[he turns his hand to hold Pavlova's hand, giving it a squeeze of his own]
It wasn't your fault. And I don't think other beings should... hold that against you.
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[ Shouldn't doesn't mean they won't. He's seen how vicious people can be both inside and outside of the Garden. He knows that it not being purposeful doesn't always hold weight. At least it's been enough time now that he's starting to think people won't be too terribly judgmental.
He's not going to tell anyone more than the bare minimum though. ]
I guess so. I'm not the only one who's had weird things happen. That doesn't make it feel any less overwhelming though. Like people are staring even if they aren't.
[ Even so, he responds to the squeeze with one of his own. It's nice... to feel supported like this. ]
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I'm sorry... I Do not know what else to say in these circumstances. But, if you ever wish to tell me more, just know that I won't judge you.
[he wouldn't, anyway, but he also doesn't have that right. he's done bad things. he's harbored ill-will. he's been suspicious, jealous]
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[ 'i won't judge you' he says. Pavlova hesitates, then looks to him ]
I could be evil, you know. I could have hurt or crumbled cookies, or worse. Are you sure you wouldn't judge me?
[ Stardust would be fully within his right to, but that's the point. Saying he won't when he knows nothing about him... is setting himself up for failure. ]
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...I have leveled an entire city in my anger. Why would I judge you, if I am just as bad?
[his expression is very serious. he has not told anyone else about this yet, and he probably won't unless it comes up]
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Assuming there were people in the city, I'm not sure which of us would have more jam on their hands.
You know who the Beast Cookies are, don't you?
[ If not he would have to give... quite the history lesson. He's not sure he's up for the messy details of that just yet. ]
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I do not.
[should he?]
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Mm, well... to make a long story short, they were originally Cookies created to embody certain virtues to lead and protect cookiekind, but they all became corrupted, driven mad by their own virtues in one way or another.
Two of them baked me, and I served for thousands of years as my mother's right hand. Which meant I watched and helped her imprison who knows how many cookies within her garden under the pretense of keeping them safe and happy.
[ Not to mention that he was just as much a prisoner. It's hard to excuse himself with that knowing how much fun he had with some of it. How comfortable he became with the pecking order. ]
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