[ Well, That's not the response he'd expected, but people had mentioned the man was weirdly forgiving. He doesn't really anticipate being allowed out of this situation without some kind of scolding, though. ]
Mm... Sure.
[ He'll try not to seem too tense, but that fake smile is back. ]
( He sits next to him then, keeping a bit of distance between them. He can't help but think that that would be most comfortable for the other right now. )
How are you feeling? I know what happened was not easy in the least.
[ Numb in more ways than one, but he keeps that to himself. ]
It... well taking care of stuff like that is part of my job. It's okay.
[ It's not. He's more than a little scared he'll be in trouble for it, but if he hadn't done it, Pure Vanilla would probably still be rooted down out there. ]
( His expression becomes sympathetic -- not one of pity, but sympathy. He had been able to tell that that hadn't been his first experience with something very similar, and yet... )
I am grateful that you are resting, my friend.
( He pauses before speaking again, his gaze moving to the fire. )
Even so... that is not a situation I would have ever wished for you to be in. I wanted to apologize. Not merely for what had transpired, but leaving you alone, as well.
Well, yeah. But I wasn't supposed to be out there either. If I hadn't been lured out it wouldn't have been me to have to do that. But it's probably better I did.
[ Because he really does think being posted up like a mishapen scarecrow, still alive is the worst thing that could happen to someone. ]
Point is I don't really have room to blame you for something I also did.
[ The longer he stays here the longer he feels like he hasn't been alright in a long time. He's not even sure where to start with any of that though, so it gets tucked down with all his other ugly feelings ]
It feels like you wanna talk about something.
[ Or like he's being projected on. One of the two. ]
I'm about as okay as I can be after being mercy killed, I guess. Kind of surprised you're not mad.
I was, but you told me not to and I did it anyway, so...
and I guess kind of?
[ He did get the attention of someone who wanted to help him but he was quite indiscriminate ]
I just threw rocks at the inn until someone noticed and came out. Ain got someone else to do it though 'cause he couldn't himself, and I don't blame him.
He reaches to place a hand on top of the other's. A gesture of kindness -- of wanting comfort. )
The last thing I wish for you... or anyone is to continue to suffer.
( He hates how that was the solution. It should have never happened. But, he remembers even with all the pain and agony he felt at that moment-- Pavlova's expression -- his words. )
I... wish to prevent anyone from being put in that situation again.. We cannot predict what will happen here, but I believe that there must be a solution.
[ It is truly unfortunate how much suffering and horrible conditions he's simply learned to manage. It doesn't occur to him that being so matter of fact is strange. ]
Mm. I don't think there's much we can do to prevent it. A lot of the people here are self sacrificial or combative by nature. There's probably one way or another to fix this mess but any answer is slow going.
[ He tilts his head a little ]
I guess what I mean is this is probably going to be uncomfortable for you in particular.
( Sacrificial -- yes, he knows he's that way as well. He'd do anything to protect others, even at the cost of his own well-being. And yet... he doesn't want anyone to suffer.
He can't help but pause, shaking his head. )
You are wise beyond your years, Pavlova Cookie. Even so, I know that there are many people here who would not hesitate to do what they must to protect those who they care for.
The answer, no matter how uncomfortable -- it is one that I will listen to.
... Pavlova Cookie, have you heard of the Dark Flour War?
( It's a dark part of cookie history, but it's an important part of his conversation all the same. It's... difficult to know what he may or may not know, given the nature of the beasts and what has happened to them. )
( He is not surprised in the least that Dark Enchantress has been in contact with the beast cookies. Pure Vanilla had long since suspected that she would wish to use their powers in some way.
His expression turns grim. )
... Many cookies had crumbled during that time. We had ultimately stopped Dark Enchantress Cookie, however... I have always wished that we could have done so without force.
No matter what happens, I will seek to find another way to solve any problems we may face without bringing harm to anyone. However, I know that there are many times where it may not seem possible.
( He knows that well. He's aware of naive he may sound to others, however. )
[ It sounds like idealistic drivel. It sounds like the logic Eternal Sugar kept people contained with. Not exactly of course, but the idea of living without pain... Pavlova isn't sure such a thing is possible without becoming a prisoner like he has.
He keeps quiet, though. He's sure that's not what Pure Vanilla is thinking. ]
... I think it's fine to have that as long as you know it's not always possible. I think dad would be upset losing you to your own kindness. And Miss Lily would be sad too.
[ And him, but he's still struggling with that. This is a step in the right direction, slow and tentative. ]
My... mother had good intentions, too y'know. She still... doesn't think what she does is wrong.
( White Lily Cookie and Dark Enchantress Cookie both had forewarned him that he would one day get hurt because of his own pain. And yet... it is how he was baked. It's his kindness that's lead him to how his past and present has been shaped.
The conversation shifts to Eternal Sugar Cookie, and Pure Vanilla pauses thoughtfully. )
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
(no subject)
Date: 2026-02-02 12:46 am (UTC)Mm... Sure.
[ He'll try not to seem too tense, but that fake smile is back. ]
(no subject)
Date: 2026-02-02 02:47 am (UTC)How are you feeling? I know what happened was not easy in the least.
(no subject)
Date: 2026-02-02 02:55 am (UTC)[ Numb in more ways than one, but he keeps that to himself. ]
It... well taking care of stuff like that is part of my job. It's okay.
[ It's not. He's more than a little scared he'll be in trouble for it, but if he hadn't done it, Pure Vanilla would probably still be rooted down out there. ]
(no subject)
Date: 2026-02-02 03:54 am (UTC)I am grateful that you are resting, my friend.
( He pauses before speaking again, his gaze moving to the fire. )
Even so... that is not a situation I would have ever wished for you to be in. I wanted to apologize. Not merely for what had transpired, but leaving you alone, as well.
(no subject)
Date: 2026-02-02 04:11 am (UTC)[ He just... does not seem to comprehend this ]
I don't see how any of that's your fault. I'm the one who got into that situation.
(no subject)
Date: 2026-02-04 05:34 am (UTC)( He sees that confusion -- he only hopes that his words will clarify any confusion he feels. )
It was not any fault of yours! I had ventured outside, knowing the risks.
(no subject)
Date: 2026-02-05 02:58 pm (UTC)[ Because he really does think being posted up like a mishapen scarecrow, still alive is the worst thing that could happen to someone. ]
Point is I don't really have room to blame you for something I also did.
(no subject)
Date: 2026-02-13 05:18 am (UTC)( He... regrets that he couldn't help. He had truly been powerless... )
More than anything, I wish to know...
Are you alright? If... there is anything you need to talk about, I am more than happy to listen.
(no subject)
Date: 2026-02-13 06:16 am (UTC)It feels like you wanna talk about something.
[ Or like he's being projected on. One of the two. ]
I'm about as okay as I can be after being mercy killed, I guess. Kind of surprised you're not mad.
(no subject)
Date: 2026-02-13 06:21 am (UTC)( It's just how Pure Vanilla has always been. Never one to worry others. Besides, compared to how things were-- it is the truth. )
You were trying to help, weren't you? Your intentions were not ill. Even so... It sounds as though someone wished to help you, as well.
(no subject)
Date: 2026-02-13 04:27 pm (UTC)and I guess kind of?
[ He did get the attention of someone who wanted to help him but he was quite indiscriminate ]
I just threw rocks at the inn until someone noticed and came out. Ain got someone else to do it though 'cause he couldn't himself, and I don't blame him.
(no subject)
Date: 2026-02-14 01:42 am (UTC)He reaches to place a hand on top of the other's. A gesture of kindness -- of wanting comfort. )
The last thing I wish for you... or anyone is to continue to suffer.
( He hates how that was the solution. It should have never happened. But, he remembers even with all the pain and agony he felt at that moment-- Pavlova's expression -- his words. )
I... wish to prevent anyone from being put in that situation again.. We cannot predict what will happen here, but I believe that there must be a solution.
(no subject)
Date: 2026-02-14 06:42 am (UTC)Mm. I don't think there's much we can do to prevent it. A lot of the people here are self sacrificial or combative by nature. There's probably one way or another to fix this mess but any answer is slow going.
[ He tilts his head a little ]
I guess what I mean is this is probably going to be uncomfortable for you in particular.
(no subject)
Date: 2026-02-18 03:39 am (UTC)He can't help but pause, shaking his head. )
You are wise beyond your years, Pavlova Cookie. Even so, I know that there are many people here who would not hesitate to do what they must to protect those who they care for.
The answer, no matter how uncomfortable -- it is one that I will listen to.
(no subject)
Date: 2026-02-21 03:02 pm (UTC)[ And everything he's seen of Pure Vanilla so far implies he's going to hate that. ]
I dunno about wise, but I've been around for a long time. I may be little but I've seen a lot.
(no subject)
Date: 2026-02-22 03:14 am (UTC)( It's a dark part of cookie history, but it's an important part of his conversation all the same. It's... difficult to know what he may or may not know, given the nature of the beasts and what has happened to them. )
(no subject)
Date: 2026-02-22 03:27 am (UTC)[ Unfortunate, really. He'd have loved not knowing about something that sounded so horrible. ]
I know the name comes from... how many died in the war, though.
(no subject)
Date: 2026-02-22 05:47 am (UTC)His expression turns grim. )
... Many cookies had crumbled during that time. We had ultimately stopped Dark Enchantress Cookie, however... I have always wished that we could have done so without force.
No matter what happens, I will seek to find another way to solve any problems we may face without bringing harm to anyone. However, I know that there are many times where it may not seem possible.
( He knows that well. He's aware of naive he may sound to others, however. )
(no subject)
Date: 2026-02-22 06:13 am (UTC)He keeps quiet, though. He's sure that's not what Pure Vanilla is thinking. ]
... I think it's fine to have that as long as you know it's not always possible. I think dad would be upset losing you to your own kindness. And Miss Lily would be sad too.
[ And him, but he's still struggling with that. This is a step in the right direction, slow and tentative. ]
My... mother had good intentions, too y'know. She still... doesn't think what she does is wrong.
(no subject)
Date: 2026-02-22 11:35 pm (UTC)The conversation shifts to Eternal Sugar Cookie, and Pure Vanilla pauses thoughtfully. )
Did you want to talk about it, Pavlova Cookie?