[ After his dad wrote in the netbook he'd been in a bad enough mood, but the hours stretched on and on with no response, no explanation, and worse, he couldn't find White Lily either when he tried to find her and see if she knew anything.
Another hour, two, five. There was no daytime, but it had to be about the time he was supposed to be asleep by now. The fear was truly eating at him. Shouldn't he be back by now? Either of them? Had the forest gotten them? Or worse- had the forest kept them? It's infected Lily before, and Shadow Milk was a known threat to it.
Or had he done something wrong? Was this his punishment for going outside the inn and dying last month? The boy ran circles around in his head, feeling sick the longer he spent worrying about where his father and step mother were.
He doesn't have quite the same relationship with Pure Vanilla. He simply hasn't known him long enough to really get a sense of how safe he was to open up to. In theory he knows he can. In practice it just hasn't worked. But in this case he's all Pavlova can think to turn to. Silent Salt and Elder Faerie were both... too complicated for now.
So at what would roughly be midnight if anyone had a sense of time with the day/night cycle completely thrown out, Pure Vanilla will hear a very quick, soft knock at his door. ]
( He realizes almost immediately that the connection between himself and Shadow Milk had been disconnected. It was almost as though a part of him had been severed. A part of him wondered if this meant he was gone for good, and yet... he knew better than to jump to conclusions. More than that, he hoped that he was alright.
And then there was White Lily. White Lily... was someone he felt far more uncertain of. She had typically ventured on her own back at home. Despite her having suggested to stay together, he knew it wouldn't be unlike her to go off on her own, too. That didn't stop him from being worried, of course. There were no responses to his messages, no matter how much he reached out to her.
When he hears the quiet tapping at his door, Pavlova will hear Pure Vanilla call out with "just a moment!" before opening the door only seconds later. He looks to Pavlova only briefly before offering a greeting. )
[ "Good to see you" is probably charitable considering the poor thing is beside himself and desperately trying not to seem like it. ]
Mmhm.
[ He's like a fish out of water, stiff, scared to really ask anything of Pure Vanilla, but he's made it this far. ]
I... can't find my dad or miss Lily. I haven't seen them in hours.
[ There's no question or request voiced- like he was giving a report, but his demeanor spoke to his distress. Wherever they went, he clearly wasn't in the loop. ]
[ He's fully aware he doesn't know her well enough to say that. It's entirely possible that detail is different because of this place or because she's aware he and Shadow Milk have-- issues.
And usually when she does wander off it's not during something like this where there are evil moons and bugs out to get them and they're vulnerable. Maybe he's just saying that because he wants it to be true. He doesn't know.
The boy allows the contact, holding onto the other's hand like an anchor. Like he's scared if he lets go Pure Vanilla will vanish too.
What he needs is to feel safe and that probably isn't going to be easy to acheive. ]
( He gently tugs that hand forward then, leading him inside and closing the door behind them. He won't let go, even as he leads them both to sit next to one another on the bed. Somewhere comfortable and quiet.
He shakes his head at the question. )
It is not your fault! White Lily and Shadow Milk Cookie both wish to help where they can. I do not doubt that this is the case now.
Rest assured, you have done nothing to cause their absence.
[ Pure Vanilla is probably telling the truth. That's his whole thing. But them wanting to help does not excuse leaving him in the dark like this does it? ]
Dad said he'd be back soon and he'd explain, but he wasn't.
[ He's settled on the bed with Pure Vanilla, but he can't look the man in the eyes. He's staring down at his lap ]
What if they aren't coming back?
[ It's happened a few times since he arrived. Some of them sting more than others, but it's a threat that lives at the back of his mind. The game might be a fake. People who die might be lost to them.
The idea of being here without his dad and White lily to protect him if Eternal Sugar shows up... terrifies him. He's only opened up as much as he has because of that reassurance.
It takes a moment but he shifts a little closer until he's all but hiding in Pure Vanilla's side. ]
( He turns then, shifting closer to Pavlova Cookie, offering whatever comfort her can provide right now.
What if they don't come back?
The thought of it hurts, and yet... he does not wish for them to be in a world where they will continue to endure such hardships. All he wants is for the happiness for those he cares about. There are so many trials that await them at home, but-- Earthbread is a world that he loves so dearly.
He wraps his arms around Pavlova then, embracing him. )
No matter what happens, I promise you -- you will not be alone.
[ He's not so selfless as Pure Vanilla. There will always be part of him that wants them to be with him even if it is horrible out here. The idea of being alone here is... he doesn't want to think about it.
That's not a promise Pure Vanilla can keep. They proved as much last month. But for now he can let himself believe that lie. Hopefully he at least wouldn't walk into death so willingly next time.
The child sniffled as Pure Vanilla wrapped his arms around him. It's comforting, safe, but the ache remains. Not all pain can be patched over with good intent, after all. This is a band-aid on a bullet wound, but it was enough for now. ]
( Gently, fingers reach to brush away tears. He cannot promise that he will always remain with him. He knew before he had settled into this world - there isn't a way to predict how long one would stay before leaving so suddenly.
But, he never wants Pavlova to be alone. )
I will be with you as long as I am able to do so. And even if things were to change... there are many who care for so many others here.
But, for now - I shall do everything I can to ease any loneliness that you feel at this very moment.
[ The bar is on the ground, honestly. He doesn't take loss very well. He stills so Pure Vanilla can wipe his tears, but something bothers him a little bit... ]
Aren't... you upset too?
[ He loves them both, it has to be distressing, right? Is he overreacting? ]
( It does hurt. It hurts, knowing that they went through pain. It hurts knowing that there’s nothing that he, a healer, can do to help ease it. And yet, it is not uncommon for Pure Vanilla to leave his regrets and pain to himself. And, Pavlova Cookie… he was in pain.
But, would it make it worse if he didn’t voice his concerns? His pain? He doesn’t want him to feel alone.
He stops for a moment, growing silent. )
I—
Never wish for those I care about to be in pain. And while I wish for nothing more than to see them again, they would not want for you or I to be in pain.
Even so, I… want to see them again. I regret that I could not help them in time…
You don't have it in you to be selfish about this, do you?
[ And maybe that sounds bitter, but only because he can't understand not being upset by something like this. Not feeling that bitterness of having been left behind. Or maybe he just doesn't want to show him that side of himself. ]
Regardless of what they wanted, it's what happened. You're allowed to be hurt, I think. But what do I know...
Do you think so? No matter how much I long for them to be safe, there is a part of me that still wants to see them again.
( And that in itself is what is selfish. )
I am certain that there is much that you wish to say. In the past, when White Lily Cookie and I parted ways, I often wrote my feelings in a letter. Perhaps... until they return, writing your feelings somewhere may help.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
While Lily and SM are AWOL
Date: 2026-02-12 03:36 am (UTC)[ After his dad wrote in the netbook he'd been in a bad enough mood, but the hours stretched on and on with no response, no explanation, and worse, he couldn't find White Lily either when he tried to find her and see if she knew anything.
Another hour, two, five. There was no daytime, but it had to be about the time he was supposed to be asleep by now. The fear was truly eating at him. Shouldn't he be back by now? Either of them? Had the forest gotten them? Or worse- had the forest kept them? It's infected Lily before, and Shadow Milk was a known threat to it.
Or had he done something wrong? Was this his punishment for going outside the inn and dying last month? The boy ran circles around in his head, feeling sick the longer he spent worrying about where his father and step mother were.
He doesn't have quite the same relationship with Pure Vanilla. He simply hasn't known him long enough to really get a sense of how safe he was to open up to. In theory he knows he can. In practice it just hasn't worked. But in this case he's all Pavlova can think to turn to. Silent Salt and Elder Faerie were both... too complicated for now.
So at what would roughly be midnight if anyone had a sense of time with the day/night cycle completely thrown out, Pure Vanilla will hear a very quick, soft knock at his door. ]
(no subject)
Date: 2026-02-12 04:44 am (UTC)And then there was White Lily. White Lily... was someone he felt far more uncertain of. She had typically ventured on her own back at home. Despite her having suggested to stay together, he knew it wouldn't be unlike her to go off on her own, too. That didn't stop him from being worried, of course. There were no responses to his messages, no matter how much he reached out to her.
When he hears the quiet tapping at his door, Pavlova will hear Pure Vanilla call out with "just a moment!" before opening the door only seconds later. He looks to Pavlova only briefly before offering a greeting. )
Pavlova Cookie! It is good to see you...
Would you like to come in?
(no subject)
Date: 2026-02-12 05:02 am (UTC)Mmhm.
[ He's like a fish out of water, stiff, scared to really ask anything of Pure Vanilla, but he's made it this far. ]
I... can't find my dad or miss Lily. I haven't seen them in hours.
[ There's no question or request voiced- like he was giving a report, but his demeanor spoke to his distress. Wherever they went, he clearly wasn't in the loop. ]
(no subject)
Date: 2026-02-12 05:08 am (UTC)Well, he's certainly going to speak to him once he returns. But, he doesn't want to assume the worst for White Lily.
He reaches, offering to take the other's hand in comfort, moving just enough to give him room to enter, should he not want to take his hand. )
I am certain that we will see them soon. White Lily Cookie has often done things on her own, and yet... she has never failed to return to her friends.
Until then, I am here for you for anything you need.
(no subject)
Date: 2026-02-12 05:18 am (UTC)[ He's fully aware he doesn't know her well enough to say that. It's entirely possible that detail is different because of this place or because she's aware he and Shadow Milk have-- issues.
And usually when she does wander off it's not during something like this where there are evil moons and bugs out to get them and they're vulnerable. Maybe he's just saying that because he wants it to be true. He doesn't know.
The boy allows the contact, holding onto the other's hand like an anchor. Like he's scared if he lets go Pure Vanilla will vanish too.
What he needs is to feel safe and that probably isn't going to be easy to acheive. ]
Do... do you think I did something wrong?
(no subject)
Date: 2026-02-12 05:39 am (UTC)He shakes his head at the question. )
It is not your fault! White Lily and Shadow Milk Cookie both wish to help where they can. I do not doubt that this is the case now.
Rest assured, you have done nothing to cause their absence.
(no subject)
Date: 2026-02-12 06:01 am (UTC)Dad said he'd be back soon and he'd explain, but he wasn't.
[ He's settled on the bed with Pure Vanilla, but he can't look the man in the eyes. He's staring down at his lap ]
What if they aren't coming back?
[ It's happened a few times since he arrived. Some of them sting more than others, but it's a threat that lives at the back of his mind. The game might be a fake. People who die might be lost to them.
The idea of being here without his dad and White lily to protect him if Eternal Sugar shows up... terrifies him. He's only opened up as much as he has because of that reassurance.
It takes a moment but he shifts a little closer until he's all but hiding in Pure Vanilla's side. ]
(no subject)
Date: 2026-02-19 03:58 am (UTC)What if they don't come back?
The thought of it hurts, and yet... he does not wish for them to be in a world where they will continue to endure such hardships. All he wants is for the happiness for those he cares about. There are so many trials that await them at home, but-- Earthbread is a world that he loves so dearly.
He wraps his arms around Pavlova then, embracing him. )
No matter what happens, I promise you -- you will not be alone.
(no subject)
Date: 2026-02-19 04:19 am (UTC)That's not a promise Pure Vanilla can keep. They proved as much last month. But for now he can let himself believe that lie. Hopefully he at least wouldn't walk into death so willingly next time.
The child sniffled as Pure Vanilla wrapped his arms around him. It's comforting, safe, but the ache remains. Not all pain can be patched over with good intent, after all. This is a band-aid on a bullet wound, but it was enough for now. ]
Pure Vanilla Cookie...?
(no subject)
Date: 2026-02-19 06:02 am (UTC)But, he never wants Pavlova to be alone. )
I will be with you as long as I am able to do so. And even if things were to change... there are many who care for so many others here.
But, for now - I shall do everything I can to ease any loneliness that you feel at this very moment.
(no subject)
Date: 2026-02-19 06:32 am (UTC)[ The bar is on the ground, honestly. He doesn't take loss very well. He stills so Pure Vanilla can wipe his tears, but something bothers him a little bit... ]
Aren't... you upset too?
[ He loves them both, it has to be distressing, right? Is he overreacting? ]
(no subject)
Date: 2026-02-19 06:09 pm (UTC)But, would it make it worse if he didn’t voice his concerns? His pain? He doesn’t want him to feel alone.
He stops for a moment, growing silent. )
I—
Never wish for those I care about to be in pain. And while I wish for nothing more than to see them again, they would not want for you or I to be in pain.
Even so, I… want to see them again. I regret that I could not help them in time…
(no subject)
Date: 2026-02-22 03:44 am (UTC)You don't have it in you to be selfish about this, do you?
[ And maybe that sounds bitter, but only because he can't understand not being upset by something like this. Not feeling that bitterness of having been left behind. Or maybe he just doesn't want to show him that side of himself. ]
Regardless of what they wanted, it's what happened. You're allowed to be hurt, I think. But what do I know...
(no subject)
Date: 2026-02-22 05:50 am (UTC)( And that in itself is what is selfish. )
I am certain that there is much that you wish to say. In the past, when White Lily Cookie and I parted ways, I often wrote my feelings in a letter. Perhaps... until they return, writing your feelings somewhere may help.