Work Text:
Shadow Milk Cookie floated mindlessly in one of the empty corridors of the spire. His gaze was resting upon a figurine of Pure Vanilla Cookie, his expression narrowed and just a hint frustrated. Last they had seen each other was during Pure Vanilla Cookie's Awakening, his deceitful companion now ruined by the new compassionate king.
After his sudden transformation, he declared he understood Shadow Milk Cookie, and he wished to be friends. Shadow Milk Cookie, devastated by the bygone era of Truthless Recluse, was resentful against the alliance. He wished nothing of this new king, demanding boldly of such false truths. For he did not know the Beast of Deceit at all. No one could understand him, let alone this Beacon of Truth.
Yet now, as he gazes upon this Pure Vanilla Cookie replica, his words keep ringing vividly in his head; the request for friendship and his statement of knowing Shadow Milk Cookie's burdens and struggles.
"Friends...? As if," he scowls, his multiple eyes rolling excessively at even the concept of friendship. He leans backwards, his body seemingly floating in place as if he was propped by a chair. Yet his eyes never directly left the fake Pure Vanilla, his mind still spiraling as it always has. His thoughts are constant and simple, so it was nothing for him to keep nagging at the invitation from Pure Vanilla Cookie.
But he keeps dismissing the unconscious thought each time. Avoiding it in a way.
"Does he think I'm an idiot to believe something like that?" He asked, his grip tensing against the doll. His eyes narrowing deeper as he felt more anger bubble through him. Pure Vanilla was a liar at best, yet he was a fool to think he could trick the Beast of Deceit.
"You lying Vanilla Cookie," he hissed, icing deep hatred in his tone.
Though, his gaze softening slightly. His hands shifted against the doll's frame. I wonder what you are doing right now?
His eyes widened suddenly, realization striking him with an idea. He shifts his body into a more motivating position as Shadow Milk Cookie drifts away to a new destination. Meanwhile, his body seemingly shifts from his current form. His tips of white hair lengths down into long locks, and his suit bounces into a skirt. His hair weaves in small braids held tightly with a bow, and his cane instantly makes into a basket. Finishing his transformation, his signature mark on his face wilts away to nothing.
Now he was a lady, elegant yet simple. Nothing like the Beast of Deceit, Shadow Milk Cookie.
He eventually meets the end of the corridor, where a rather oversized curtain crowded the end wall. Under its large fabric was a mirror, and the reflection of his disguise. He takes a minute to stare at himself, gleaming at the perfect facade to stay hidden within the Vanilla Kingdom. He smiles, pleased at his grand talent for detail. He looked like a mere common girl.
Now he just needed to follow the script.
***
Act One: The Accident
Characters:
Lady Milk Crown Cookie
Pure Vanilla Cookie
Ensemble
Shadow Milk Cookie steps from the alleyway, peering over the corner to just barely glimpse at the commotion in town square. Pure Vanilla Cookie was greeting the residents, his smile as bright as ever. Shadow Milk Cookie scowled, instantly infuriated at the sight of him.
Found you, petty thief. Acting all kind with that infuriatingly sweet smile.
Always so patient...So thoughtful...So compassionate.
His expression softened, his glance becoming a stare onto Pure Vanilla Cookie, watching him laugh dearly with one of his dear townsfolk. His mind returned to his soft words, wishing for Shadow Milk Cookie's hand in friendship. His request for alliance between the Beast of Deceit and the Light of Truth.
"Friends," huh...
No, wait—
What am I thinking? I'm here to mess with him! Nothing else.
Shadow Milk Cookie diverted his eyes from Pure Vanilla Cookie. He smooths out his skirt, and he gently brushes light strains of hair in place, while reminding himself of his plan. Yet a small, pestering thought laid in the back of his mind.
Ugh...I can't get distracted.
He drifts softly into the ground, his legs wobbling on impact. He brushes his skirt gently, while soothing his shaky legs to the sudden weight from his body.
Shadow Milk Cookie takes one last breath, before facing the bustling streets. His expression was perfectly scripted: his smile sweet and gentle, his eyes curious yet content. He looked like a common visitor, intrigued to explore the wonders of the Vanilla Kingdom. He stepped forward from the alleyway, sunlight coaxing his dough.
...Let the show begin.
Step 1: Bump into Pure Vanilla Cookie by "accident"
It seem simple enough, but Lady Milk Crown Cookie was having a minor setback.
When did walking become so difficult?
She steadily approached Pure Vanilla, despite barely tripping multiple times. Her idea was to push past him, knocking him over mildly. Then the gorgeous Lady in Azure would then apologize with her sweet, innocent facade, and Shadow Milk Cookie's plan would continue from there.
That wasn't what happened.
Instead, Lady Milk Crown Cookie tripped on her own two legs, tumbling into Pure Vanilla Cookie as they crash onto the ground. Her basket erupts with all her belongings, scattering them among themselves. Lady Milk Crown Cookie, dazed from the fall, rubbed a hand to her head, and eventually, her eyes flutter open, to see Pure Vanilla Cookie standing before her.
His expression is concerned, and his hands stretched out as a gesture to help. His staff glows as radiant as the day of his awakening, not faltering once from his fall.
"Oh my...Are you okay?" His eyes briefly open, revealing his mismatched yellow-blue eyes. A minute stretches by. His hand still waits for her to accept it. Yet the Lady in Azure just sits there, almost paralyzed. This wasn't how the plan was suppose to go.
"Miss...?" He waits patiently, unbothered by her frozen state.
Lady Milk Crown Cookie was flustered by her abrupt entrance, but Shadow Milk Cookie believed he could salvage his plan from this minor mistake. She holds the other's hand, steadying herself onto her feet. Her expression shifted to something more embarrassed and shy, ready to play her part.
"I... am," she chuckles lightly, trying to downplay the situation as anyone would. "Uh, thanks for helping me up..."
Her eyes diverted away from Pure Vanilla, and drifts her free hand to cover her little smile. "I'm quite a clumsy cookie..."
"It's alright," he reassured, his smile gentle and warm. He looked content to know the girl was fine, as the compassionate king always did for others. Shadow Milk Cookie would've scoff at the sight, but he was playing his character.
"Though, you've dropped your items..." He glances to the scattered items gathered beneath themselves. "Let me help you pick them up."
Pure Vanilla crouches to the ground, not hesitating to collect her belongings. Lady Milk Crown Cookie watches him, her hands folded gently at the front of her skirt. Her eyes narrow slightly, her smile fading despite its importance to the script.
"...You're too kind," he remarks, his tone almost hostile. It was out of character for such a innocent woman like his Lady, and she cursed herself for slipping up like that. She wasn't the Beast of Deceit at the moment; she was a simple visitor for the Vanilla Kingdom right now. "There's no need to, sir," she adds quickly, her tone softer this time, as if she was apologizing for him having to clean for her.
"I insist," he replied, his expression showing no signs of skepticism at earlier comment. He keeps tidying, placing each item in the basket delicately and with care. "Besides...this is the first time I've seen you here."
Her eyes widened slightly, yet she begins to grin, sincere with a hint of malice, "Actually," she answers. "This is my first time here."
"The Vanilla Kingdom really is as glorious as they say," she adds, her voice emphasized with curiosity and wonder.
"Mm, just like I thought then. Would you like me to give you a tour around?"
"I'd love to."
Step 2: Tour around with Pure Vanilla Cookie...???
Pure Vanilla Cookie took Lady Crown Cookie around the entire kingdom, rambling about the significance of buildings and sharing facts he had remembered. The Lady would drift between his words, listening when she wished to. Yet she found herself almost embracing his company.
When they stopped at the marketplace, the Lady in Azure had just realized that the foolish king had distracted her, and she had pulled no trickery or planted seeds of doubt as she planned. She glanced back to Pure Vanilla Cookie, who was trying persuade the vendor to let him pay.
Her eyes narrowed, trying to bubble up the same dissent from earlier, yet she couldn't. His presence was warm and comforting, resonating a calmness over the Lady. She didn't need to be spiteful during her performance anyways; Shadow Milk can snarl with his deep, brooding hatred, but Lady Milk Crown Cookie was enjoying herself right now.
Pure Vanilla Cookie brought her out of her thoughts, offering her an apple. She rejected it as she wasn't necessarily hungry. Pure Vanilla Cookie nodded in understanding, and he took a chance to give it to a small child over yonder.
They continued with the rest of their tour, as Pure Vanilla brought them to a florist shop. They spent their time with Pure Vanilla Cookie buying assortment of flowers for the Lady in Azure, picking ones from his favourites and her's (She chose Milk Crowns, Bell-flowers, and another random assortment that she saw Pure Vanilla Cookie checking out).
Later, Pure Vanilla Cookie led her to where his sheeps flock. The sheep herded to his feet, brushing their fleece against the two for contact. Lady Milk Crown Cookie was disinterest to bother with the sheep, yet sitting side to Pure Vanilla Cookie as he rambled on about his beloved animals wasn't too bad.
Finally, the sun gave its farewells and the moon rose to the sky. Its moonlight flickered across the balcony, where Pure Vanilla Cookie and Lady Milk Crown Cookie stood. The stars danced among the cosmic void, their shimmering lights faded against the radiant moon. Lady Milk Crown Cookie leaned against the balcony, her eyes fixated on each and every twinkling star.
"The moon is lovely tonight, isn't it?"
"It is, yeah."
"Did you enjoy the tour?" He asked, looking back to Lady Milk Crown Cookie with sudden guilt. "I hope it wasn't too overwhelming..."
Lady Milk Crown Cookie glanced in his direction, considering herself what she truly thinks. Despite her failed mission to ruin the king's bright mood, she had quite enjoyed her time in the kingdom. Her gaze diverted back to the moon, its moonlight drinking in her dough.
"No, I had a lot of fun actually," she admitted.
She perched her hand and leaned forward onto the frame of balcony, her calm expression spreading an amused smirk; her eyes narrowed with sudden playfulness. "You're quite a good tour guide, sir," she teased.
He chuckled lightly at her comment, and his face hinted himself as mildly flustered. "Thank you," he replied, glancing her way once more before standing the moon again. "I'm glad you enjoyed it."
"Though, I do wonder," he began, his expression calm yet neutral. "Why do you feel you need to hide yourself from me—Shadow Milk Cookie?"
Shadow Milk Cookie felt himself shattered, his beautiful persona seemingly ripped from him. His lovely Lady burning away to reveal the monster underneath. It was so sudden, feeling exposed like that. It also enraged the Beast inside him, realizing he was played a fool. Pure Vanilla Cookie knew it was him, all along, his disguise nothing more than solo act for himself. What a fool he was.
Then he vanished. A flicker, and he was gone.
"Shadow Milk Cookie...?"
Pure Vanilla Cookie stared intently at the vacant spot next to him, his smile fading at his sudden disappearance. He sighed, turning away head back to his castle.
Maybe next time, I suppose.