#honeycomb cookie

[speadrunner]

"Oh~! It's mine and mine alone~! I--!"

The figure started with straightening their back, before bowing and looking up,

"Am! The ringmaster! Tamer of beast, leader of a fantastical show!"

They seemed happy to be introducing themselves, too happy, as they straighten up and let out a little 'ahem'. Each frozen shot over, noting the hidden command and quickly doing a trick, which was stacking into a pyramid. It was strange to see what you've only seen as animals perform such a seemingly complex trick, and after a while, a small click came from Ringmaster and each of the fifteen gathered around them and practically circled like sharks.

The group dispersed after being fed... Something, being fed ice cubes filled with something inside. It was hard to see as the masks were sneakily lifted a bit and fed underneath by hand.

"Ah, I see, nice to meet ya ringmaster. So you managed to tame these frozen too, just like Frost Walker....but gosh, you have a ton with you."

A smile formed on my face as I remembered Frost Walker; they're a great friend, even if they don't see us as friends. I wouldn't be able to watch over Jellybean and Honeycomb without their help, I still do have to drag them around with me wherever I go; can't trust them-or more I can't trust Honeycomb- on their own. Maybe I could invite Frost Walker to this circus, just to get away from all the madness, ya know?

"Ya know, Frost Walker taught me how to tame frozen too with these dragon peppers; suuuuper helpful for the two I have, especially Honeycomb, the guy's a Tasmanian devil I swear, hehehe. Honeycomb is this bee-looking one here."

I pointed at the frozen bee cookie. I could tell they weren't happy being dragged along to every place I go, but I know they'll be a bigger headache if left alone.

"The other is my friend, Jellybean Cookie. He-...unfortunately was infected by my own fault, but so far he's incredibly calm, just sleeps a bunch. By the way, did Frost Walker help you tame your frozen too?"

Frost Walker is the only one I know who's capable of taming frozen, it makes sense that others would seek their help. Although, we didn't have a lot of frozen, definitely nowhere near the over a dozen this ringmaster has...

[speadrunner]

Frost Walker paused, the frozen he was petting immediately darting off. “Witches be damned… What?!” They yelled, practically annoyed. Their… hood was down, showing a push-pop like hair. It was confirmed, ice typed. They looked practically pissed off, their red eyes scanning your face before they huffed, “Oh… you. What is it?”

Jellybean shuffled, practically showing a sign of adjustment due to the cart now facing downwards a bit.

“Heh, it’s uh-quite a funny story. Or well, no-it’s not…really, I’m kinda sad and feel a little guilty about it-uum, anyway!! I wanted to see you because I desperately need your help!”

I stood up and went towards Jellybean Cookie, gently rubbing his back while pointing at him.

“This is my friend, Jellybean Cookie. And…he became a frozen a few hours ago. He’s harmless, trust me! All he really does is sleep, and I think he remembers me…? There’s another in the back of the cart-I’ve named them Honeycomb Cookie since they have these bee-like features. They’re hostile, but also pretty harmless since they lost a leg and their wings are damaged.”

I briefly stopped speaking as I tried to make sure I wasn’t rambling on, and I wanted to be sure Frost Walker was catching everything I was saying.

“Erm…*ahem*, I wanted your help on taming or controlling these guys, however you do it with your frozen pal. Jellybean means so much to me, and I feel so terrible for letting this happen to him. As for Honeycomb……they’ve been a big pain in my tail, but I want to help them too, in anyway I can. So uh, can you help a…friend out?”

[speadrunner]

It only took a few seconds before something jumped out. On it back was a pair of mangled faerie cookie wings, but the electricity jolting off of it was strange. It’s pupils were… red. It wasn’t a normal frozen, no, those eyes resembled that Frozen Frost Walker had! It sniffed around, then smacking Honeycomb who immediately shut up.

It seemed to sniff around, before leaping off into the distance, leaving footsteps on the snowy ground.

I jumped at the suddenness of the frozen’s appearance, but I held back the gun after realizing just who the frozen was. That right there wasn’t just the frozen that belonged to Frost Walker, that was my ticket to getting to Frost Walker sooner!!

I do admit-I couldn’t help but laugh seeing Honeycomb get smacked to shut up. I would’ve done the same eventually, so it’s about time! But I can’t dilly dally and applaud: the frozen left tracks to follow and that’s what I’ll do.

I redirected the cart and steadily followed the tracks left behind by the frozen. With how it leaped out, I can’t really see it, but following the tracks will do just fine. As I was walking, I sighed happily, finally things were looking up.

“Just you wait Jellybean, soon we’re gonna see the cookie that can help us out the most! We’re gonna be fine!! Hah…I wish you were fully yourself so you could meet Frost Walker, but it’s okay! You’re still here, I’m still here, and I’m gonna make sure that we’ll be alright.”

[speadrunner]

Honeycomb immediately let out a hiss, nails cracking deep into the wood of the cart. It’s eyes were wide, screeching like a mad animal ready to attack. It hadn’t made drastic and loud vocalization such as this before, so hearing this was a sign that danger could approach immediately.

Jellybean lifted his head, a low growl yet alerted deeply set in stone that Honeycomb had called for help.

I briefly stopped pulling the cart to cover my ears. God that scream was so…visceral!! And what for?!

I took a moment to think as to why Honeycomb would yell like that: are they upset at being pinned down, unable to escape? Possibly, but it’s been in that position a few times, and this was a completely different kind of noise.

Jellybean seems to sense something off too; he’s growling now. I’d thought he’d be too sleepy to do much of anything, yet here he is tensing up as if there’s….danger.

I went to grab Jellybean’s shotgun from his bag and loaded it, holding it close by. I looked around the sky and the areas in front of and behind me, but I couldn’t make out anything. I listened for any noises-outside of Honeycomb’s yell-but didn’t hear much either. I kept scanning without saying a word, slowly breathing as I readied myself for anything….

[speadrunner]

As you returned from getting the gems and coins, it was clear from the buzzing that something happened. Honeycomb hung from the edge of the cart, wings rapid and food in its mouth. It was most likely trying to escape, to fly the coop and escape.

Jellybean, however, was being good, sleeping and resting against the pillow. Ice slowly seemed to consume and eat at the pillow and himself, freezing him to the cart.

(I think we’re back in business baby-)

Sigh….Honeycomb, you’re gonna be my biggest pain in the ass.

I walked to put the coins and crystals in the back of the cart, making sure the bags were tightly sealed. I then slowly walked in front of Honeycomb and put my hands on my hips, clicking my tongue at the frozen’s situation.

“You wanna be difficult, huh? Well guess what, I can be difficult too pal! Now you are gonna stay in this cart and we are gonna go find Frost Walker or someone else, and I will rip off your wings if I need to keep you grounded here!”

That last bit was kind of a bluff…kind off. I might just rip off their wings if they aggravate me again, but I didn’t want to. They’re hurt enough, so even if they did try to escape, they wouldn’t get far and I could just put em back in the cart. I pushed Honeycomb back in the cart by its dangling leg, and pushed the heavier food items on top of them so that they were pinned down. Heading to the front of the cart, I saw Jellybean’s state and sighed in relief.

“At least you’re not an issue, thanks buddy. ….i might need to flip your pillow frequently though, just to make sure you don’t get stuck to the cart.”

I tried flipping the pillow…to no avail. It was already frozen stuck.

“ …shit. Ok, it’s fine, it’s fine. I can bring some heat up to the pillow and try to separate them. But right now, I need to focus on heading out before any more trouble happens.”

I grabbed the front of the cart and started to walk forward with it. It was very heavy, but I forced myself to fight through and walk away from the house. Somewhere, someone had to have a camp. I can do this, I repeated in my head. I have to do this…I have to do this…

[speadrunner]

Underneath floorboards in the kitchen seemed to be a hidden stash, at least 35k coins and 3k gems. It seemed Jellybean was saving up for something in case things went wrong. How… paranoid, as if Jellybean knew something like the Frost would happen.

You were pulled from your thoughts of the situation at the sound of snarling, growling, and smacks. It seemed that the two frozens were… fighting? Checking out the situation, the two were fighting over the food that was used to lure Jellybean into the cart.

“What the-Hey!! HEY!!! Quit it, you t-I SAID QUIT IT!! There’s enough food for both of you, just split it-….”

I simply facepalmed and groaned. These two are just-animals, that’s it. Why do I bother treating them differently? I grabbed Jellybean out from the back and sat him up in the front of the carriage.

“Im not dealing with you two fighting the whole damn trip, so Jellybean, you’re gonna in the front. Let me get your pillow.”

As I went to grab the pillow from the back, I saw it was roughed up and scratched, most likely from their fight. At this point, I couldn’t care less about perfection, it just is what it is now. I took the ruined pillow and placed it on the front seat, and pushed Jellybean down on it.

“Now please, just go to sleep again and don’t make a fuss until we meet Frost Walker-or Hell- any cookie that can help us!”

This is going to be the most agonizing trip ever, I can feel it. Two hungry animals that have zero control of themselves, no horse-meaning I have to walk this heavy carriage myself, and I don’t even know for certain where I should go for help.

“I’ll just-grab the coins and crystals and then I’ll head out. To where…I don’t know, but it can’t be worse than staying here.”

I went back inside to take the coins and crystals to the carriage; with a bit of urgency in my step in case the two started fighting again. I decided to place the bags of coins and crystals in the front with Jellybean, hopefully he’ll just use the bags as extra pillows instead of food like Honeycomb probably would. I then went back to take the floorboards and place them in the carriage as well; if I need to make a fire, there’s my wood.

“Hah…okay, I separated the two, got the money, and have all I should really need. …Actually, real quick-“

I took a few food items from the back and placed them with Jellybean.

“There, now there shouldn’t be any more food fighting, I hope.”

[speadrunner]

Honeycomb seemed to flip over, claws reaching and pulling itself. It was… incredibly slow, perhaps more safer to carry it by something else than to deal with it having to crawl. While Jellybean seemed to pull himself away, practically reaching for the food as well. He could walk, Honeycomb couldn’t.

These frozen were… a handful. Maybe it would be best to grab items to trade. Perhaps Frost Walker could help fix Honeycomb’s legs.

“Hmmmm, okay…I think I’m slowly catching on to what I need to do with you two. Jellybean, since you can clearly walk, here!”

I exited the guest room and tossed the food near the front door.

“Go get it! It’s all yours! …..Now, as for you Honeycomb, I can’t have you dragging yourself around like this. You’re too slow and I can’t risk you losing more of your body if you drag yourself on rough surfaces, so…”

I took the bed comforter and wrapped up Honeycomb in it. Hehe, frozen burrito…actually no, that sounds terrible. I took the bed sheet off and wrapped up Honeycomb’s chewed off leg; it could be useful…maybe. I hauled the wrapped up Honeycomb over my shoulder and carried the leg out to the front door.

“Oh, nice job Jellybean, you reached the food. Eat it up, I’m gonna put Honeycomb in the carriage.”

Kicking open the front door, I walked out with Honeycomb to the carriage. Thankfully, the comforter was thick enough and wrapped around tightly that it wouldn’t claw me. And they tried, they really tried, but I chucked them in the back of the carriage along with the leg.

“Huff…huff…okay, now it’s Jellybean’s turn. Cmon buddy, let’s go.”

I walked back to direct Jellybean to the carriage. I’m glad he can walk, but I can’t risk him getting lost. After getting back to the carriage, I pushed him in the back with Honeycomb.

“Ahhh, okay, that’s the hard part outta the way. Now I just gotta get a pillow for Jellybean, pack the untouched food from the guest room, and…maybe some more stuff I could trade with. Does Jellybean have anything in his home I could use for trading? Only one way to find out; you two stay put, especially you Honeycomb.”

I walked back inside to get a pillow, Jellybean’s shotgun, and his bag to throw in the back. Then I made another trip to pack the leftover food that Honeycomb didn’t eat yet. Now…what could be in here that would be worth trading? Surely he has crystals and coins, but where?

[speadrunner]

Honeycomb seemed to be stuck on its back, it’s arms folded over it’s chest. It seemed to had attempted to crawl out the… closed window? If it thought it could crawl through glass, it makes one wonder how many times it’s hit glass while flying.

Footsteps seemed to make the wood behind you creek, before a sudden weight was toppled over you. Jellybean had walked to you and practically fell on you as if to trap you. Sleepers can walk?????

“Gah! What the f-Jellybean??! How are you-are you sleepwalking?! Wake up!! Get off of me!!”

I tried shaking off the frozen Jellybean, annoyed from its weight on me. These two were really testing my patience, weren’t they? Well I guess I failed because I’m at my last nerve with these two. I reached for a piece of food in the pile and applied some seasoning to it; and waved it around in Honeycomb’s direction.

“Hey! *whistle* Honeycomb, here! I gotcha some nice food here, all for you! Now if you just come away from the window-that’s closed you goof-and come here, it’s all yours!”

Now that I’m trying to lure Honeycomb, I just need to walk back to the carriage to keep them there. Only problem is…Jellybean is really gonna drag me down. I grabbed the bed comforter off the guest room bed and tossed it over Jellybean and me. I took the pillows as well, hoping that I could keep him asleep whenever I needed.