The Wafflebot Workshop was busy with the continued construction of the Wafflebot colossi. Strawberry Crepe Cookie was working at a console, furiously operating machines to meld, weld, and put together the hulking waffle automaton. Espresso Cookie was off elsewhere in the kingdom, busy with his coffee alchemy and creating new Magic Candies. It was an impressive invention, and Strawberry Crepe couldn't help but admire the technical genius of the magic put into them. But it didn't require their personal expertise so, aside from mutual respect, it interested Strawberry Crepe little.
Eventually, the Wafflebot whirred to life, its single red eye glowing to life before the thud of its massive limbs hitting the ground shook the entire workshop (no small feat considering how massive the place had to be to create such machinery). It would eventually head its way to be deployed to the surface of Crispia, patrolling the surrounding land of the Vanilla Kingdom to ensure the Dark Cookies weren't lurking around.
The cookie sighed contently. A smile crossing their face at a job well done. One of their waffle arms manifested behind them, and with a little hop, Strawberry Crepe sat atop it with a satisfied look. "One down, four hundred thousand, and thirty-two more to go!"
There was a knock at the door of the workshop after a moment, a prelude to it being opened and allowing in a small group of cookies. Pure Vanilla Cookie was at the front, smile gentle if faintly strained by something. It's not an uncommon expression for him to have given the war going on. He was probably the least surprising of the Cookies present, the others being Hollyberry Cookie, who looked worse for wear, and Clotted Cream Cookie who while he looked as unruffled as ever had a very sharp eye on the fourth cookie in their midst. One that was half hiding behind the Hollyberrian like Clotted Cream Cookie were liable to attack him.
"Strawberry Crepe Cookie, are you busy at the moment?" Pure Vanilla asked, stepping closer to where the younger cookie was lounging. "We have a new guest who will be staying at the castle for a while, and I'd like to introduce you to him."
As he spoke Hollyberry seemed to be saying something to the cookie behind her, nudging him forward next to Pure Vanilla- Though he remained looking at Clotted Cream with a pout somewhere between nervous and indignant. "This is Pavlova Cookie. He was in a situation similar to your own, and he is staying here for safety reasons. I hope you both will get along."
Pavlova cookie finally looked to the other young cookie at the note that he'd been in a similar situation, but gave a little smile. "Lovely to meet you! They were just showing me around the castle. I didn't know there were going to be other kids my age here~"
The knock echoed throughout the large workshop. Strawberry Crepe knew exactly who it was as soon as they heard it. Only Pure Vanilla Cookie, king as he was, had the modesty to knock at the door of a massive colossus building workshop. He was much too kind, the half-cookie often thought. But it was thanks to that kindness that Strawberry Crepe and their Wafflebots had a home and purpose. They flicked a wrist, and with that the arm they were currently sitting upon spun to face the newcomers.
They let out a disgruntled "Ugh..." at the sigh of Clotted Cream Cookie. They never did like him, much too pompous and self righteous AND the audacity to not fawn after their own brilliance. But Espresso Cookie vouched for the council member, and so they tried to not be entirely indignant when he was around.
"Busy? That would imply my genius is being strained on the construction of the Wafflebots! Although, if you're referring to the progress I've made, since last report I've finished the construction of one thousand and thirty-two Wafflebots of varying purposes." They said with clear pride, a puff in their diminutive chest. Though their attention went form their own pride to the new cookie.
"Odd... 75% cream, 25% fresh fruit. Pavolva Cookie? Hmmm, there's something else mixed into your dough, where *exactly* did this cookie come from?" They asked with a twinkle in their eye, quite literally too as they WERE half Wafflebot themself and literally searching their databanks for what the extra something was.
"And by 'situation,'" they said with the other crepe arm appearing to make quotation marks for them, "Do you mean Dark Enchantress Cookie pawned him off on one of her schemes?" Their disdain was evident. They didn't enjoy being one-upped or outsmarted, it meant that their keen intelligence had faltered and they had let emotion set in. Troublesome to admit, they did enjoy company a bit too much.
"Not quite, though Dark Enchantress Cookie was involved..." Not a pleasant topic for Ancient, even after White Lily Cookie was successfully revived. "You were in that cryobaking pod for quite a long time, and Pavlova Cookie here has found himself similarly displaced."
"It's not going to do any good to hide it," Pavlova pipes up once he recovered from the discomfort of having his ingredients listed aloud, "I'm from the Garden of Sweet Delights, in Beast-Yeast." He bows, "One of the Bringer of Happiness's very own messengers of joy~"
The messenger of joy, if you asked him, but he's already getting a look from the others for introducing himself that way. "Well, formerly I guess. Master kept me in her jewelry box the entire time she was sealed." Meaning he was several hundreds of years displaced.
Pure Vanilla Cookie nodded in response, "Pavlova Cookie assisted Hollyberry Cookie in escaping from Eternal Sugar Cookie, which is why he needs to shelter here for now." Pavlova's expression pinched with an unreadable expression, but he brushed it off, fluttering over to where Strawberry Crepe was. His eyes briefly considered the crepe arms before falling on the Cookie himself, smile a little mischievous. "You've been hurt by love haven't you? You want so badly to make a connection, but you don't want someone to take advantage of your heart again."
Hollyberry seemed to sigh in resignation when he started talking, used to this little quirk but still finding it troublesome. Pure Vanilla on the other hand seemed a little apprehensive, knowing how prone Strawberry Crepe was to throwing fits over bruised pride.
Their eyes grew wide, the circuits hidden within glittering with the new knowledge they were learning. Beast Yeast was such an odd phenomenon. Yes, they had heard about it, and they had even been victim to one of the Beast's raw power. It rivaled, no, dwarfed the power of the Soul Jams. They hadn't the chance to analyze the greater power of these Beasts, but the lines were starting to fall together.
They brushed past the comments and introduction to analyze Holly Berry Cookie's shield, specifically the Soul Jam embedded in its center. While the connection was weak due to the, in hindsight, fragmented nature of the Soul Jams, there was an unignorable connection to it and the winged cookie before them.
"Psshaaa, you act as if that still makes me freshly baked. I'm much too mature for the antics of children." They'd say with a roll of their eyes. But, in their thoughts and analysis, they hadn't quite paid attention to anything that had been said after, much to his soon to be chagrin.
"Ah, do you mind? Personal space and all that?" Was all they could say before Pavlova gave his 'words of wisdom', as they were. There was a look of disgust and dejectedness when Pavlova finished, a glare resentment pointed at Pavlova, yes, but not because of him. "Love is a *strong* word to describe how I felt about Dark Enchantress Cookie. I'd warn you to study up on language as this 'Bringer of Happiness,'" air quotes emphasized by the free crepe arm once more, ", clearly did not share the joys of a thesaurus."
They conveniently ignored the connection bit, choosing to focus on the words they had an easy time rebuking with cold logic. Though, the glitter in their eyes didn't dissipate as the closeness in proximity to Pavlova made it easier to research the essence of this 'Bringer of Happiness.'
"Platonic love is still love~" He points out, then corrects, "And I said you wanted it, not that you had it." Poor thing, really. He could even somewhat relate, though he wasn't admitting to his parentage in front of two of the Ancients and that scheming council member. Hollyberry may have an inkling. Pure Vanilla might figure out the other one over time, but he doesn't trust Clotted Cream as far as he could throw him.
It still annoys him a little how people deny what he can see so clearly. Imply he's somehow wrong for pointing out what's obvious. But he supposes the truth hurts. His thoughts briefly turn to his father, but he puts that aside for now.
"Admittedly she wasn't the one who taught me, but the Fount of Knowledge was quite a good teacher." that on its own wasn't too much, he figured. Many people in that time were taught by the fount of knowledge. He just got a little favoritism mixed in.
Strawberry Crepe would scoff at the correction. As if they could be wrong, their genius was simply too great to ever be wrong. "Platonic love is *still* too strong a term. I recommend visiting the royal library here, the thesauruses can broaden your rather frustratingly small vocabulary."
They said it with a haughty tone, trying desperately to push Pavlova farther away. They knew that his words rang somewhat true, but it wasn't something they wanted to hear, wanted to feel, or wanted to acknowledge. The Wafflebots and Pure Vanilla were all they needed for now. Oh, and Espresso too they supposed.
"'Fount of Knowledge?' Psssh, an absurd title for anyone that is not on my level of intellectual renown. The only one who even comes close to my intelligence is Espresso Cookie." They said that with noticeable respect, albeit without them fully realizing the tone they conveyed in that moment.
Pure Vanilla Cookie gives a soft, fond sigh at the children's squabbling, "The Fount of Knowledge was an epithet attributed to Shadow Milk Cookie when he still had the whole Soul Jam of Knowledge. His knowledge formed the basis of everything we know now. A few of his old scrolls were even retrieved and are held in the library." Pure Vanilla smiled at Strawberry Crepe Cookie, "Including the concepts that later became your wafflebots."
Pavlova nodded in response, though now he was a little more distracted looking around the workshop, curious about the different machinery and parts. It was just an abstract concept when his father told him about it back then so it's strange to see it both in use and so advanced.
"What are these used for, anyway? I saw them on the way here." They were just kind of bumbling around outside the kingdom, though. He didn't get a very good look at them.
That comment from Pure Vanilla gave them pause. It was a little hard to process the thought that their brilliance had originated from something so... Vile, for lack of a better word. To be quite honest, they detested whatever these Beast Cookies stood for. Anything involving Dark Enchantress Cookie was bad news, bothersome, and got in the way of progress.
"Yeah yeah, whatever..." They finally relented. Strawberry Crepe never bothered arguing with Pure Vanilla. He was too important, and he had too much respect for the wise ruler. While his Soul Jam granted him vast amounts of wisdom, that didn't always equate to scientific knowledge, and while they haughtily kept this fact to themself, Strawberry Crepe Cookie knew that it was a mental ploy to keep distance, just incase.
They eventually turned their attention back at Pavlova Cookie, a dismissive roll of their eyes as they propped their head atop a free crepe arm. "Depends on the model you saw. The big ones, called Wafflebot Collosi, are meant to defend and ward off advances. They're essentially walking, armored encampments." They were even capable of uniting together to make a massive wall, impenetrable and sentient too! They impressed themself at times.
Stardust Cookie's eyes fluttered open. Normally, he might be impervious to his sister's magic, but, sometimes, it was nice to have sweet dreams. Aware as he was, though, he wondered what he might find in this one.
His feet barely touched the ground as he inched forward, hesitant, dough prickling with anticipation. What he saw, at first, was a familiar sight; the black murkiness of space surrounded him.
But then, a light broke through the darkness, slowly blinking, calling to him, beckoning. He headed for it almost instantly, feeling warmth from it. Where would it lead him, he wondered. But he didn't care, as long as he caught up to it.
[ The light and warmth gave way to a temperate, sweet scented garden, lush with cream flowers of all kinds, sturdy cake trees, and the burble of mulled juice streams.
Despite its similar nature, this isn't the same garden of Delights... no, there weren't any statues to be found, no eyes dotting the scenery, no teeth. Just a calming garden, and at the center of the dream was Pavlova Cookie, wistful as he waved his mother off and sat down to play his lyre.
It was more difficult, life wasn't all rainbows and cotton candy clouds, but his mother didn't look through him, his father was present. He could leave if he wanted.
Sad that his ideals were so rooted in how things used to be.
He doesn't notice the interloper at first, enjoying the moment of peace, but he does tense slightly when he notices.
The strange Cookie doesn't seem bad. Was this maybe a visitor to the garden in this dream? ]
... Don't be shy, it's alright. Did you need something? If you're seeking the Sugar of Happiness, you just missed her.
[it's strange. in all his travels, Stardust had not set foot in Beast-Yeast. he didn't know about this Garden, or any Garden. thankfully, it doesn't seem scary. he would have thought differently were there eyes and teeth to be found. obviously, this is some Cookie's dream. but whose?
he doesn't have long to look around before he hears a voice, and he turns to look at the other Cookie. what pretty icing, he thinks idly, then remembers he should pay attention]
The... Sugar of Happiness? I'm afraid I do not know who that is... Oh! Unless that is another name for the Sugar Swan!
[ This cookie wandered in here not knowing where this was? A primal, instinctive part of him started to get worried on the stranger's behalf... but he schooled it quickly. This is a dream, and there is no danger. ]
No, I'm referring to the holder of the soul jam of happiness, Eternal Sugar Cookie.
[ He shifts over so that Stardust Cookie can take a spot in the shade with him. He continues plucking idly at his lyre. ]
You must be pretty lost if you ended up here without knowing where you are. The Sugar Rush Mountains are no joke.
[ He doesn't seem to be worse for wear, though. Huh. ]
[he's fine. he just followed the light! though... that seems a bit silly to say out loud, now that Stardust thinks about it.
either way, he floats over]
I suppose our dreams are linked, in some way. That can only be Moonlight Cookie's doing. She is quite powerful.
[he's definitely heard the name, Eternal Sugar Cookie, before. but not in direct conversations. rather, he's heard chatter amongst train passengers, or in restaurants. Stardust does not know anything else about her. he'll ask in a moment, even if he is more curious about this Cookie in front of him]
[ Oh, so he was sharing this dream with someone, and someone presumably on the opposite side, since he certainly has never seen him before- though the lack of reaction is curious in that case. The slight tenseness is back as he tries to gauge why this cookie was sent to his dream. Was this a test? ]
I see... then you probably know Eternal Sugar Cookie better as the Beast of Sloth. I'm Pavlova Cookie, one of her "helpers."
[ Not a son, but calling him a minion seemed too harsh. Odd that this cookie didn't... seem to know anything though. Well, he didn't lose anything by asking. What could he do to him in a dream? ]
Were you not taking part in the war? I don't think I saw you out there.
[Stardust tilts his head, slow and birdlike. then his eyes widen as his brain catches up. he looks horrified]
You're... You're fighting in the war?
[he knew of it, at least, the war on Earthbread against Dark Enchantress Cookie. but he hasn't found that it is his place to become involved. even Moonlight Cookie was... well, she was sort of involved, but not directly]
Unfortunately. My master is involved so I have to be.
[ He's not expecting the concern, though. The other cookie is so genuinely horrified that he finds it hard to cast doubt ]
I don't think so... something was happening before we all started falling asleep. I think Moonlight Cookie was trying to buy time. Not sure what she could be stalling for, though.
[hang on. Stardust blinks, then looks down into his lap, brows furrowing. his sister, stalling for time? that... that sure does not sound like Moonlight Cookie!
he shakes his head to clear it and then looks back up at the stranger]
...No one should be forced into something they don't want to do. But even aside from that, aren't you scared?
[ He sinks down a little, as though if he says that too loud he'll get in trouble ]
I guarded the garden from monsters, I'm not suited for war. I'll probably be hearing those screams in my nightmares for eons if I make it out of this without crumbling.
[oh. oh dear. this wasn't good. this dream was supposed to be pleasant, wasn't it? if Moonlight Cookie brought Stardust Cookie here, then it must have been for some reason. but what? was it to comfort this other Cookie?]
...Forgive me. I do not... understand the nuances of war, and I do not know why you have to be brought into it. But it wasn't my intention to upset you, I swear.
Because the Beasts are helping Dark Enchantress Cookie, so I have to go along with my master.
[ He wouldn't if he didn't have to, but he had no say in the matter. At least he doesn't seem angry just... scared. ]
I'll be fine.
[ Probably. Maybe. If he's honest he'll be shocked if anyone makes it out of this. But after his master was set on fire and he got separated he really wouldn't be surprised by anything happening now. The fighting is too chaotic for him to process. ]
[ Younger sister? Then he had to be just about as powerful, right? He didn't come off that way just speaking to him, but then the only one he's met on the other side were the Hollyberrians who were all prideful of their strength. ]
I'm not offended, this is a... strange situation to be in. You're very casual for talking with one of your sister's enemies.
[ Unless she didn't see him as one, but he doesn't know how she'd be able to tell. Disconnected from the rest of the world he doesn't know much about her or the other legendary cookies. ]
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Eventually, the Wafflebot whirred to life, its single red eye glowing to life before the thud of its massive limbs hitting the ground shook the entire workshop (no small feat considering how massive the place had to be to create such machinery). It would eventually head its way to be deployed to the surface of Crispia, patrolling the surrounding land of the Vanilla Kingdom to ensure the Dark Cookies weren't lurking around.
The cookie sighed contently. A smile crossing their face at a job well done. One of their waffle arms manifested behind them, and with a little hop, Strawberry Crepe sat atop it with a satisfied look. "One down, four hundred thousand, and thirty-two more to go!"
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"Strawberry Crepe Cookie, are you busy at the moment?" Pure Vanilla asked, stepping closer to where the younger cookie was lounging. "We have a new guest who will be staying at the castle for a while, and I'd like to introduce you to him."
As he spoke Hollyberry seemed to be saying something to the cookie behind her, nudging him forward next to Pure Vanilla- Though he remained looking at Clotted Cream with a pout somewhere between nervous and indignant. "This is Pavlova Cookie. He was in a situation similar to your own, and he is staying here for safety reasons. I hope you both will get along."
Pavlova cookie finally looked to the other young cookie at the note that he'd been in a similar situation, but gave a little smile. "Lovely to meet you! They were just showing me around the castle. I didn't know there were going to be other kids my age here~"
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They let out a disgruntled "Ugh..." at the sigh of Clotted Cream Cookie. They never did like him, much too pompous and self righteous AND the audacity to not fawn after their own brilliance. But Espresso Cookie vouched for the council member, and so they tried to not be entirely indignant when he was around.
"Busy? That would imply my genius is being strained on the construction of the Wafflebots! Although, if you're referring to the progress I've made, since last report I've finished the construction of one thousand and thirty-two Wafflebots of varying purposes." They said with clear pride, a puff in their diminutive chest. Though their attention went form their own pride to the new cookie.
"Odd... 75% cream, 25% fresh fruit. Pavolva Cookie? Hmmm, there's something else mixed into your dough, where *exactly* did this cookie come from?" They asked with a twinkle in their eye, quite literally too as they WERE half Wafflebot themself and literally searching their databanks for what the extra something was.
"And by 'situation,'" they said with the other crepe arm appearing to make quotation marks for them, "Do you mean Dark Enchantress Cookie pawned him off on one of her schemes?" Their disdain was evident. They didn't enjoy being one-upped or outsmarted, it meant that their keen intelligence had faltered and they had let emotion set in. Troublesome to admit, they did enjoy company a bit too much.
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"It's not going to do any good to hide it," Pavlova pipes up once he recovered from the discomfort of having his ingredients listed aloud, "I'm from the Garden of Sweet Delights, in Beast-Yeast." He bows, "One of the Bringer of Happiness's very own messengers of joy~"
The messenger of joy, if you asked him, but he's already getting a look from the others for introducing himself that way. "Well, formerly I guess. Master kept me in her jewelry box the entire time she was sealed." Meaning he was several hundreds of years displaced.
Pure Vanilla Cookie nodded in response, "Pavlova Cookie assisted Hollyberry Cookie in escaping from Eternal Sugar Cookie, which is why he needs to shelter here for now." Pavlova's expression pinched with an unreadable expression, but he brushed it off, fluttering over to where Strawberry Crepe was. His eyes briefly considered the crepe arms before falling on the Cookie himself, smile a little mischievous. "You've been hurt by love haven't you? You want so badly to make a connection, but you don't want someone to take advantage of your heart again."
Hollyberry seemed to sigh in resignation when he started talking, used to this little quirk but still finding it troublesome. Pure Vanilla on the other hand seemed a little apprehensive, knowing how prone Strawberry Crepe was to throwing fits over bruised pride.
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They brushed past the comments and introduction to analyze Holly Berry Cookie's shield, specifically the Soul Jam embedded in its center. While the connection was weak due to the, in hindsight, fragmented nature of the Soul Jams, there was an unignorable connection to it and the winged cookie before them.
"Psshaaa, you act as if that still makes me freshly baked. I'm much too mature for the antics of children." They'd say with a roll of their eyes. But, in their thoughts and analysis, they hadn't quite paid attention to anything that had been said after, much to his soon to be chagrin.
"Ah, do you mind? Personal space and all that?" Was all they could say before Pavlova gave his 'words of wisdom', as they were. There was a look of disgust and dejectedness when Pavlova finished, a glare resentment pointed at Pavlova, yes, but not because of him. "Love is a *strong* word to describe how I felt about Dark Enchantress Cookie. I'd warn you to study up on language as this 'Bringer of Happiness,'" air quotes emphasized by the free crepe arm once more, ", clearly did not share the joys of a thesaurus."
They conveniently ignored the connection bit, choosing to focus on the words they had an easy time rebuking with cold logic. Though, the glitter in their eyes didn't dissipate as the closeness in proximity to Pavlova made it easier to research the essence of this 'Bringer of Happiness.'
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It still annoys him a little how people deny what he can see so clearly. Imply he's somehow wrong for pointing out what's obvious. But he supposes the truth hurts. His thoughts briefly turn to his father, but he puts that aside for now.
"Admittedly she wasn't the one who taught me, but the Fount of Knowledge was quite a good teacher." that on its own wasn't too much, he figured. Many people in that time were taught by the fount of knowledge. He just got a little favoritism mixed in.
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They said it with a haughty tone, trying desperately to push Pavlova farther away. They knew that his words rang somewhat true, but it wasn't something they wanted to hear, wanted to feel, or wanted to acknowledge. The Wafflebots and Pure Vanilla were all they needed for now. Oh, and Espresso too they supposed.
"'Fount of Knowledge?' Psssh, an absurd title for anyone that is not on my level of intellectual renown. The only one who even comes close to my intelligence is Espresso Cookie." They said that with noticeable respect, albeit without them fully realizing the tone they conveyed in that moment.
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Pavlova nodded in response, though now he was a little more distracted looking around the workshop, curious about the different machinery and parts. It was just an abstract concept when his father told him about it back then so it's strange to see it both in use and so advanced.
"What are these used for, anyway? I saw them on the way here." They were just kind of bumbling around outside the kingdom, though. He didn't get a very good look at them.
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"Yeah yeah, whatever..." They finally relented. Strawberry Crepe never bothered arguing with Pure Vanilla. He was too important, and he had too much respect for the wise ruler. While his Soul Jam granted him vast amounts of wisdom, that didn't always equate to scientific knowledge, and while they haughtily kept this fact to themself, Strawberry Crepe Cookie knew that it was a mental ploy to keep distance, just incase.
They eventually turned their attention back at Pavlova Cookie, a dismissive roll of their eyes as they propped their head atop a free crepe arm. "Depends on the model you saw. The big ones, called Wafflebot Collosi, are meant to defend and ward off advances. They're essentially walking, armored encampments." They were even capable of uniting together to make a massive wall, impenetrable and sentient too! They impressed themself at times.
crunchy dreams
His feet barely touched the ground as he inched forward, hesitant, dough prickling with anticipation. What he saw, at first, was a familiar sight; the black murkiness of space surrounded him.
But then, a light broke through the darkness, slowly blinking, calling to him, beckoning. He headed for it almost instantly, feeling warmth from it. Where would it lead him, he wondered. But he didn't care, as long as he caught up to it.
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[ The light and warmth gave way to a temperate, sweet scented garden, lush with cream flowers of all kinds, sturdy cake trees, and the burble of mulled juice streams.
Despite its similar nature, this isn't the same garden of Delights... no, there weren't any statues to be found, no eyes dotting the scenery, no teeth. Just a calming garden, and at the center of the dream was Pavlova Cookie, wistful as he waved his mother off and sat down to play his lyre.
It was more difficult, life wasn't all rainbows and cotton candy clouds, but his mother didn't look through him, his father was present. He could leave if he wanted.
Sad that his ideals were so rooted in how things used to be.
He doesn't notice the interloper at first, enjoying the moment of peace, but he does tense slightly when he notices.
The strange Cookie doesn't seem bad. Was this maybe a visitor to the garden in this dream? ]
... Don't be shy, it's alright. Did you need something? If you're seeking the Sugar of Happiness, you just missed her.
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he doesn't have long to look around before he hears a voice, and he turns to look at the other Cookie. what pretty icing, he thinks idly, then remembers he should pay attention]
The... Sugar of Happiness? I'm afraid I do not know who that is... Oh! Unless that is another name for the Sugar Swan!
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[ This cookie wandered in here not knowing where this was? A primal, instinctive part of him started to get worried on the stranger's behalf... but he schooled it quickly. This is a dream, and there is no danger. ]
No, I'm referring to the holder of the soul jam of happiness, Eternal Sugar Cookie.
[ He shifts over so that Stardust Cookie can take a spot in the shade with him. He continues plucking idly at his lyre. ]
You must be pretty lost if you ended up here without knowing where you are. The Sugar Rush Mountains are no joke.
[ He doesn't seem to be worse for wear, though. Huh. ]
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either way, he floats over]
I suppose our dreams are linked, in some way. That can only be Moonlight Cookie's doing. She is quite powerful.
[he's definitely heard the name, Eternal Sugar Cookie, before. but not in direct conversations. rather, he's heard chatter amongst train passengers, or in restaurants. Stardust does not know anything else about her. he'll ask in a moment, even if he is more curious about this Cookie in front of him]
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[ Oh, so he was sharing this dream with someone, and someone presumably on the opposite side, since he certainly has never seen him before- though the lack of reaction is curious in that case. The slight tenseness is back as he tries to gauge why this cookie was sent to his dream. Was this a test? ]
I see... then you probably know Eternal Sugar Cookie better as the Beast of Sloth. I'm Pavlova Cookie, one of her "helpers."
[ Not a son, but calling him a minion seemed too harsh. Odd that this cookie didn't... seem to know anything though. Well, he didn't lose anything by asking. What could he do to him in a dream? ]
Were you not taking part in the war? I don't think I saw you out there.
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You're... You're fighting in the war?
[he knew of it, at least, the war on Earthbread against Dark Enchantress Cookie. but he hasn't found that it is his place to become involved. even Moonlight Cookie was... well, she was sort of involved, but not directly]
Are you hurt?!
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Unfortunately. My master is involved so I have to be.
[ He's not expecting the concern, though. The other cookie is so genuinely horrified that he finds it hard to cast doubt ]
I don't think so... something was happening before we all started falling asleep. I think Moonlight Cookie was trying to buy time. Not sure what she could be stalling for, though.
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he shakes his head to clear it and then looks back up at the stranger]
...No one should be forced into something they don't want to do. But even aside from that, aren't you scared?
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[ He sinks down a little, as though if he says that too loud he'll get in trouble ]
I guarded the garden from monsters, I'm not suited for war. I'll probably be hearing those screams in my nightmares for eons if I make it out of this without crumbling.
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...Forgive me. I do not... understand the nuances of war, and I do not know why you have to be brought into it. But it wasn't my intention to upset you, I swear.
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Because the Beasts are helping Dark Enchantress Cookie, so I have to go along with my master.
[ He wouldn't if he didn't have to, but he had no say in the matter. At least he doesn't seem angry just... scared. ]
I'll be fine.
[ Probably. Maybe. If he's honest he'll be shocked if anyone makes it out of this. But after his master was set on fire and he got separated he really wouldn't be surprised by anything happening now. The fighting is too chaotic for him to process. ]
You never told me who you are, you know.
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[he gets a hold of his emotions then places a hand to his chest]
My name is Stardust Cookie. Moonlight Cookie is my younger sister.
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[ Younger sister? Then he had to be just about as powerful, right? He didn't come off that way just speaking to him, but then the only one he's met on the other side were the Hollyberrians who were all prideful of their strength. ]
I'm not offended, this is a... strange situation to be in. You're very casual for talking with one of your sister's enemies.
[ Unless she didn't see him as one, but he doesn't know how she'd be able to tell. Disconnected from the rest of the world he doesn't know much about her or the other legendary cookies. ]
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[he taps his cheek in thought. Stardust supposes that is what Pavlova has been trying to get at, but he didn't understand until it was said outright]
Why are you enemies?
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Just a matter of who we're allied with, I guess. I wouldn't be fighting if I had a choice in any of this.
[ He makes a vague motion to the tranquil surroundings. Where he'd rather be is the farthest thing from a warzone. ]
But we're on opposite sides, and if Eternal Sugar is sealed again, I will be too. So we're enemies.
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they took the midnight train going anywhere
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