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[ancientlight]

to come

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[jugglery]

[Shadow Milk's face feels hot, uncomfortably so, like when Pure Vanilla bit him weeks ago. he takes a deep breath and looks away, shoulders tense.

he'd said it before, himself, right?]

You and I... are bound...

[ancientlight]

( Pure Vanilla reaches then, gently placing a hand on his shoulder. )

Are you alright?

( He seems so tense... Was the conversation making him uncomfortable? )

[jugglery]

[sorry, he went off on his own, for a moment. but the action brings Shadow Milk back instantly, and he yanks away]

I'm fine! Just. Fine!

[don't touch him]

[ancientlight]

( Pure Vanilla pulls away then, frowning a little at that. )

... You do not have to push me away, Shadow Milk Cookie. I'm here.

( If he didn't understand him as well as he did, perhaps he would mistake that as simply... not wanting to be touched in general. )

[jugglery]

[well. those kind words make Shadow Milk falter for a second. he bristles, but then settles back down. come on, he thinks to himself, don't give Pure Vanilla Cookie the satisfaction of wanting to help you, be cool and awesome!]

...Really, I'm okay. And I forgive you for being bitten by a bat.

[ancientlight]

( He lingers for a moment, reaching out for him for only a second longer before dropping his hand. He offers a gentle smile. )

... That is kind of you. Thank you.

Perhaps it would be best to be more cautious going forward. We do not yet know what else may await us here.

[jugglery]

[he is so magnanimous, thanks for noticing!]

I... guess, yeah.

[he's actually admitting it? that he's weak here? he keeps getting into trouble, actually]

I'm... I've got healing powers, now, but they don't really work that great on myself. I can heal. Other creatures better.

[ancientlight]

( Healing, huh? He smiles a little at that. )

I see.... Perhaps it takes practice to get to the point where you can heal yourself. Or... perhaps the way that the magic works now is what was intended when you were given a potion.

I trust that you were able to find a healer here, then? Unfortunately, I have yet to regain my own abilities.

[jugglery]

It's not like I go looking for healers, in general. I healed myself, enough to where I was able to stop bleeding. That's all. But other people told me I should focus on healing others. Silly, right? What's the use of having a healing power that only halfway works?!

[ancientlight]

Perhaps their line of thought was more along the lines that the more you heal others, the stronger your magic will be.

( No wonder he hadn't needed his healing magic. )

Magic can only grow when practiced, after all.

[jugglery]

Right. I understand that. What I'm saying is...

[what is he saying? he huffs, rubbing his arm. annoying]

...I'm saying I should probably find other people to heal? And maybe someone who is good at healing? To h-h-help... me...

[to teach him]

[ancientlight]

( He can't help but smile then, face lighting up a little. He reaches for one of his hands. )

If you'd like, I could teach you. I would be happy to do so. I am certain the magic here and the kind at home does not differ far too much.

[jugglery]

[curse youuuuuuuu he wants to wither up and crumble into dust. don't make this weird, PV]

Yeah. Yeah. Probably. Anyway, I'm glad I thought of it. If we're gonna keep living together you might as well be useful to me.

[ancientlight]

Oh? Do you intend to make this permanent, then?

( He's teasing now. But, his expression is warm, a little hopeful. He's enjoyed their time together, despite everything. It...

It's felt right. As though this is how things are supposed to be. )

[jugglery]

[stop smiling!]

I mean, living here's as good as living anywhere else in this cursed land. And. You know.

[he can't say it out loud, can't say that Pure Vanilla knows him the best out of all these weird beings and humans. Shadow Milk thinks of Catra, who he still hasn't talked to since their game day. Tenna and Beryl are cool, even Eilonwy's okay.

but none of them are Pure Vanilla]

[ancientlight]

I do.

( He does. He understand Shadow Milk better than anyone else. Just as Shadow Milk understands him more than anyone else.

Though, he can't not regret what happened before. )

... After what happened, teaching you is the least I can do.

[jugglery]

[he moves in and flops onto the couch, waving a dismissive hand]

We're past that, alright? We both weren't in our right minds. If anything, I don't think it was your fault. It's the fault of... whoever is in charge here. But don't worry, Vanilly, I shall make them pay dearly.

[ancientlight]

( How forgiving... He offers a small smile then before moving to the kitchen. )

We do not yet know if they were the ones who had caused us to change.

Rather than that, I believe that the moon's legend may have something to do with how we changed.

( He reaches for the tea kettle, filling it with water before pausing. )

Ah -- but, would you like some tea?

[jugglery]

[right, that legend. the moon being weird throughout the month. tch, whatever]

Sure, tea. Any kind is fine.

[he is thinking... he wants someone else to blame so badly, and it cannot be Pure Vanilla this time]

...I've been trying to. Talk to more people? And I'm being nice about it. So so so nice! I'm such a good guy. Hee.

[be proud of him]

[ancientlight]

( Any, huh? He'll choose something calming. )

I have taken notice. It seems as though you're settling in well here.

( Shadow Milk will hear the sounds of shuffling in the kitchen -- cabinets opening and closing. The next words he says are as genuine as much of what he says. )

I'm proud of you.

[jugglery]

[a pause.... sure, Shadow Milk wanted to hear that, was hoping he'd hear those words. but it's different to actually hear them out loud. he doesn't need Pure Vanilla's approval, he wants to say! but the words fade before he can open his mouth.

he swallows thickly]

...You should be.

[he still feels guilty about the way he acted towards Catra in particular, but Shadow Milk will get there. guilt is... weird. funny. he doesn't like this emotion, even if he knows what it is.

he sits in silence after that, just listening to the bustling in the kitchen. his face feels surprisingly warm.

he was praised!]

[ancientlight]

( Pure Vanilla sets a cup down quietly in front of Shadow Milk before sitting across from him. Honestly, that response is just like him, but there's something that feels off about it. )

Are you alright?

[jugglery]

Stop asking me if I'm alright.

[he bristles as he reaches for his tea cup. but he doesn't answer the question]

[ancientlight]

My apologies. I suppose I'm not used to seeing you without your dramatic flair.

( But, he'll leave it alone. He knows not to push far too much at this point. )

I'm afraid that the magic I was given here is far different than yours, but... having the opportunity to experience something new is exciting, too.

[jugglery]

[hmmm? he's grateful for the change of subject, raising his brow. he will latch onto the new topic with every fiber of his being]

...I. Don't think you've told me about your new powers. Have you tried them out?