( There's no hesitance to return that hug - firm yet gentle. It's only when her grip loosens that he pulls away, and in what sign language he's been able to learn, he communicates with her. )
You have my deepest apologies. I never wished to cause you pain.
( It's not the same. None of this is the same as it was in Earthbread. Pure Vanilla and White Lily have always had something in common, though; the both of them would go to great lengths if it meant helping others. )
I had thought that attempting to heal the growth would have helped, and yet... that was my error. I still believe a cure can be found, however it must be done without touching those who had been affected.
I promise, I shall do what I can to take further caution in the future.
( He reaches then to take both of her hands into his, an earnest look settling on his face. )
If... one is quick enough, it can be removed physically. It is not a pleasant process, though. Beyond that... ... you have seen first hand how quick it is to act.
( how quickly it becomes hopeless.
of course she wants to believe that there could be a way- but without magic, she's not sure they can find it.
after a moment, she just leans against him. )
... Please, don't leave me again. I beg of you. I can't bury you another time.
I have hopes that we can find something to far less painless. There is already far too much to worry about in this world. If there is something that can be done to lessen that, then... I wish to find it.
( He brings one of her hands to his lips, pressing a gentle kiss to knuckles before speaking once more. )
I won't leave you again, not as long as I can prevent it.
( she can't hear what he's saying, but... she's sure she can tell what it is already. his gentle compassion would drive him to the ends of the earth, she knows.
there's a part of her that wants to be mad at how sweet he's being. but she can't bring herself to. all she can do is accept it, because anything less would burn. )
... I'll cry if you do. And who knows what will happen then?
( He pulls away just enough to hold her hand again in his, offering a small smile. The idea of White Lily crying is painful to think about, but it does seem as though things have cooled down a little... )
I would do what I could to ease your burdens.
( He squeezes her hand before stopping for a moment. As happy as he is to see her unharmed--
There are some things that he is concerned about, too. He doesn't know how long he's been gone for at this point in time. )
White Lily Cookie, have you heard from Elder Faerie Cookie and Pavlova Cookie?
( A breath that he hadn't been aware that he had been holding escapes him, and he nods a little. )
Understood. While we take shelter, I will do what I can to further our research on those roots.
( Rest can wait. This was an emergency. )
... But beforehand, I wish to speak to the both of them. ( He looks away for a moment, though he's not looking at anything in particular. ) I... regret that I could not do more to help the both of them.
( Pavlova Cookie in particular. He's so worried. After what had happened, he has so much he wants to say and ask him. )
( Rest. It's a tempting invitation. Did White Lily feel this tired when she had awoken in the faerie kingdom? Had she been running on adrenaline alone, much like he himself was? So much had happened in such a short period of time then, after all.
He doesn't want to worry her, and he'd be a fool to admit that he wasn't exhausted in the slightest. )
... You are right, my flower. Will you come with me?
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
(no subject)
Date: 2026-02-01 03:08 am (UTC)You have my deepest apologies. I never wished to cause you pain.
I will do whatever I can to make it up to you.
(no subject)
Date: 2026-02-01 03:21 am (UTC)( she wants to beg and cry and yell. but she can't bring herself to. especially when she ultimately... did the same to so many others.
she'd been told not to go to the witch's banquet, after all.
but... is this the same thing? is it... )
... Please, I will never stop you from helping people... but... in the future, please, listen to us. We all know we are powerless right now... I...
(no subject)
Date: 2026-02-01 03:33 am (UTC)I had thought that attempting to heal the growth would have helped, and yet... that was my error. I still believe a cure can be found, however it must be done without touching those who had been affected.
I promise, I shall do what I can to take further caution in the future.
( He reaches then to take both of her hands into his, an earnest look settling on his face. )
(no subject)
Date: 2026-02-01 05:55 am (UTC)( how quickly it becomes hopeless.
of course she wants to believe that there could be a way- but without magic, she's not sure they can find it.
after a moment, she just leans against him. )
... Please, don't leave me again. I beg of you. I can't bury you another time.
(no subject)
Date: 2026-02-01 06:22 am (UTC)( He brings one of her hands to his lips, pressing a gentle kiss to knuckles before speaking once more. )
I won't leave you again, not as long as I can prevent it.
(no subject)
Date: 2026-02-01 07:25 pm (UTC)there's a part of her that wants to be mad at how sweet he's being. but she can't bring herself to. all she can do is accept it, because anything less would burn. )
... I'll cry if you do. And who knows what will happen then?
(no subject)
Date: 2026-02-01 10:30 pm (UTC)I would do what I could to ease your burdens.
( He squeezes her hand before stopping for a moment. As happy as he is to see her unharmed--
There are some things that he is concerned about, too. He doesn't know how long he's been gone for at this point in time. )
White Lily Cookie, have you heard from Elder Faerie Cookie and Pavlova Cookie?
(no subject)
Date: 2026-02-01 10:42 pm (UTC)Elder Faerie Cookie and Pavlova Cookie are both here, yes. Don't worry. No one's allowed to go back out there, understood?
(no subject)
Date: 2026-02-01 11:37 pm (UTC)Understood. While we take shelter, I will do what I can to further our research on those roots.
( Rest can wait. This was an emergency. )
... But beforehand, I wish to speak to the both of them. ( He looks away for a moment, though he's not looking at anything in particular. ) I... regret that I could not do more to help the both of them.
( Pavlova Cookie in particular. He's so worried. After what had happened, he has so much he wants to say and ask him. )
(no subject)
Date: 2026-02-02 01:14 am (UTC)You just died. Please, rest. Just a bit.
( she gets it, she does- but she's also a hypocrite sometimes. especially when it comes to his safety.
it feels as though if she looks away once, he'll be gone again, and she hates it. is this how they all felt, before she vanished for good? )
(no subject)
Date: 2026-02-02 03:39 am (UTC)He doesn't want to worry her, and he'd be a fool to admit that he wasn't exhausted in the slightest. )
... You are right, my flower. Will you come with me?
(no subject)
Date: 2026-02-12 03:00 am (UTC)lily can't help but beam up at him at the nickname. )
Of course, mon cher. Shall we?