Vanilla Paste Cookie

[vanilly-not-found]

"Hello! ...Did I know you..?"

"I'm afraid I don't remember much right now. But my memory will get better every day, surely!"

. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁˖ . ݁ Ask blog . ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁˖ . ݁ Ships are fine but Vanilla Paste likely won't let himself reciprocate with the identity issues and all also keep in mind mod is a minor okay thank youu

[vanilly-not-found]

"Copy that, Copycat!"

[vanilly-not-found]

( for shadowmilk )

You could sense two being hurry into your domain one slowly and weakly walking in the other confidently and with cruel intent coming in

Oh, great. A disturbance.

He began to watch from the shadows, mildly curious.

[askdarkangelcookieandothers]

You would see a weak injured dark Angel she was shivering she could barely move her wings looked completely broken she was covered in wounds and bruises and cuts , her hair looked ragged and torn apart with what looked to be injuries from bad hits to the head . She was practically limping which was why her presence was so slow barely keeping balance her legs looked partially broken she was now coughing attempting to catch her breath shaking and shivering scared she was then grabbed by the other presence who was clearly an assassin who decided they would have fun toying with her for maybe at least 5 or 6 more hours they picked her up and slammed her against a tree she was able to find strength and hide behind some trees where she couldn’t be got guarding herself with her broken arms and broken wings making little adorable sqeauks in pain

[vanilly-not-found]

He appeared right in front of the assassin.

"Hellooo! Welllcomeee! And whooo might-a youuu be?"

[askdarkangelcookieandothers]

Assassin : why is it your buisness I was ordered by someone to kill that pathetic thing it’s actually kind of cute especially how it fought back it has a lot of fight in it for something so weak you punch it’s puny face it gets back up before she was weak like this she put up quite the fight this game has been so fun I want to play more

You could dark Angel run more and even cry she started to actually cry out for help from people she knew it wasn’t in certain order or importance “ white lily help ! , dad ! , father please help me , Holly Berry , big brother custard the third , cheese ! , dark cacao , dark choco ! Please , shadow milk “

She clearly didn’t know where she was but she was panicked and scared

The assassin looked towards dark angels direction and said “ depending on what my commander tells me you either will die by my hand in 5 hours or I bring you to my commander and they decide if you live or die you are dying today child and no one will save you “

Dark Angel started to sob loudly

[vanilly-not-found]

"Ha. Haha..

AHA HA HA HA HA! Yes, YES, I'm sure it is quiteee the ENTERTAINMENT, to kill, for sport! Although, I dunnooo, isn't there- someone ya forgot to ask permission from?"

[askdarkangelcookieandothers]

The assassin looked disturbed and actually shakes a little a little fear in their eyes for the first time “ I’m an assassin I get a job to kill and I do I usually do kill jobs like this where my victim isn’t really going have someone powerful going after me her father is the anceint who forgot everything and she’s being taken care by the failure anceint “

This asssasin was an idot since they already didn’t think white lily wouldn’t be a threat to them

[vanilly-not-found]

"Yeah yeah WHATEVER. Wanna know a fuuun little secret?"

He leaned in

[askdarkangelcookieandothers]

The assassin backing away but curious nods “ yeah what is it ? “

[vanilly-not-found]

"Everything here, belongs, to me. Incluuuding that laughable imitation of a cookie! Yes, even THAT. Now now nowww! You wouldn't want to take what isn't yours! Wouldja?"

[askdarkangelcookieandothers]

Assassin : I didn’t mean to come here that little brat ran here I had a job to do and I thought she’s vanillas pastes child

Dark cries out for shadow milk again it was a instinctive cry like a child crying out for someone to protect them

[vanilly-not-found]

"Too bad, SOOOoo sadd! Sorry to interrupt your job and all. Really! I am! Allowww me to make it up to you with a gaaame! One geared towards yourrr enjoyyymenttt, of course."

Shadow Milk Cookie ignored her. For now.

[vanilly-not-found]

hello!! i happen to know who you used to be QUITE well! if you have any questions your friends have not answered yet i could help :)

@master-of-puppets-and-shadows

"You do? I'm.. afraid I'm not sure who I'm speaking with, exactly, but.. I do appreciate the kind offer!"

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

of course!! :)

oh yes, introductions are QUITE important! i am Shadow Milk Cookie!

[vanilly-not-found]

"It's nice to meet you, Shadow Milk Cookie! Oh, that name does sound familiar! I'm- well, I suppose you already know, don't you..."

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

it is nice to meet you again!! i would CERTAINLY hope my name sounds familiar, you DID temporarily live with me for a bit…

[vanilly-not-found]

"I- did....? I'm sorry, my friends never told me about that..."

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

HAHAH! what an INTERESTING little detail for them to CONVENIENTLY forget to tell you about!! yes! you did! we used to play chess together fairly often. :)

[vanilly-not-found]

"We played chess? It looks like a bit of a complicated game! ...Could you teach me how to play again?"

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

but of COURSE we did! oh i would be COMPLETELY willing to teach you again!

[vanilly-not-found]

"Thank you, haha! I really do learn something new about myself every day.."

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

you’re welcome!! heh heh! well i am QUITE PLEASED to have HELPED you learn more, Silly Vanilly :)

[vanilly-not-found]

"Hahaha-! 'Silly Vanilly?' Is that an actual thing you've called me before??"

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

ha ha ha ha!! yes it is! oh we had SUCH fun together, Nilly! even if those kids you had with you were INFURIATING to deal with

[vanilly-not-found]

"Oh, I think you mean-.. what was his name again... Ginger-something? Gingerbright, maybe. I thought he was pretty nice- did he do something to prove otherwise..?"

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

HAH! yes, Gingerbrave and his little entourage traveled with you … and kept INTERFERING with my PLANS, infuriating little BRATS. but that is HARDLY important now~! :)

[vanilly-not-found]

"Gingerbrave, yes that was it-!.. Oh. That's, hm... are you sure they meant to interfere? Maybe there was some sort of misunderstanding..

Anyway! I was just on my way to the market. Would you like to join me?"

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

oh there was EVERY intention of interfering, him and his friends made that ABUNDANTLY clear

hahah! that does sound QUITE fun! sure, i’ll join you :)

[vanilly-not-found]

"I'll try to talk to them later, and see what they have to say about it..

Lovely, let's go then!" He smiled

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

hah! they’ll claim they “had to” and were “saving you from me” … overdramatic PESTS

*he smiles back at him*

[vanilly-not-found]

"'Saving?' Haha! I wouldn't have needed saving! Perhaps they had good intentions, but were just a bit.. misguided?"

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

yes! it was QUITE silly of them! i had NO intention to cause any harm! all we did was play some games and they made SUCH a big deal out of it. and their intentions did nothing to change the fact that their actions were annoying

[vanilly-not-found]

"I'm sorry they did that...! I'll explain things to them, and make sure it doesn't happen again! Okay?"

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

oh that would be AWFULLY NICE of you, Nilly! i would GREATLY appreciate it :)

[vanilly-not-found]

"Hmmm, did I have a nickname for you in return? And, of course, I'm happy to help!"

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

hmmmm. you weren’t much for nicknames … of course you are, always so compassionate

[vanilly-not-found]

"..That does make sense, now that I think about it.. Yes, I do my best to keep that up! I've heard it was one of my defining characteristics, really!"

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

… i suppose it does! haha! :)

oh it REALLY is! sometimes gets a bit annoying about it. ANYWAY! i am oh so GLAD you have such WONDERFUL friends who have been helping you remember so much …

[vanilly-not-found]

"Haha, yes! I.. have no idea where I would be right now, without them to guide me.... I do wish they had told me about you, but I understand that this whole situation is a bit strange in and of itself!"

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

if i was one to guess i would say a lonely amnesiac wandering the country with no hope of EVER remembering a THING about who you were. oh it’s probably for the best, i DOUBT i have the BEST reputation among your friends, i have done some … not great things … in the past

[vanilly-not-found]

"Oh, that's.. a little bleak. I like to think that maybe someone kind would've given me a place to live, food, a job, even.... well, there's no need to linger on that, thankfully!

Really? Ah- may I ask what sort of things? If you feel comfortable discussing it, that is."

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

*he laughs for … WAY too long at that comment*

cookies are not NEARLY as kind as you like to think they are~! what a silly, naive, belief you have, such a silly silly cookie, Silly Vanilly! they would have turned their backs on the strange cookie wandering around talking nonsense about not remembering anything about who he is. paranoia, suspicion, and selfishness are MUCH more common motives than compassion

… yes! … … i tried to fight the witches for one thing

[vanilly-not-found]

He did look a bit upset at that

"Maybe not all cookies would be so compassionate, that is true- but surely, somewhere on Crispia, there would have been someone to lend me aid. I don't think that's a naive, or silly thought to have. Why- really, if you think about it- isn't that what happened? My friends cared enough to find me when I was gone for so long! And I think they would have helped me, even if they hadn't known me before! They're good cookies.

...The- the witches!? That's-..!"

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

oh there probably are other foolish cookies out there who would have ignored the potential danger of allowing a strange cookie into their home, but almost certainly to make themselves look like a selfless little saint! friends helping friends is a special case, really. almost everyone else has ulterior motives when it comes to acts of kindness

yes, the Witches. it did NOT go well for my friends and I, but in my defense those fiends deserved it

[vanilly-not-found]

"You don't think very well of others, do you? I mean I'm sure there is a reason for that, but I really, really doubt that the majority of cookies are how you describe! If they were, there would be hardly any reason to give back to communities, to- to help one another..

I can imagine!"

...

"I guess I can't really imagine, on second thought, um... I'm sorry that it didn't go well?"

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

i’m only telling the truth, my boy. doubt it all you want but it will NEVER change that fact. cookies use other cookies for their own gain and no other reason apart from in VERY special circumstances. tis a harsh truth to swallow, but isn’t it better than suffering under a false hope of selflessness that will never exist?

…

you don’t sound particularly sorry, Vanilla Paste Cookie. but that IS understandable, i suppose. not every day you meet someone who says they’ve tried to fight against the “gods”

[vanilly-not-found]

"I'm sorry, I- thought you said you knew who I was, that we lived together-? I don't think Pure Vanilla would agree with what you're saying, and neither do I! It simply isn't true. At least to me. Please respect my thoughts on it.

...Well.. yes, it is sort of hard to take in! I don't really know what else to say about that..."

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

i know almost EVERYTHING there is to know about Pure Vanilla Cookie. and we did live together for a bit. oh yes the both of you have always been such silly cookies, believing in a world where that is NOT the truth. hahah. so your thoughts on this deserve respect while mine get thrown away as lies, hmmm?

… fair enough …

[vanilly-not-found]

He was quiet for awhile .....

"No. You... you do have a point. Maybe I am being a bit silly not to at least.. consider what you're saying on the matter. It's... just... hard to hear, with who I'm supposed to be, and how he felt about that, but I'm not trying to call you a liar. Really, you might be correct! But it's not my place to disagree with Pure Vanilla Cookie, you know..?

....At least you're still alive and well after such a fight!"

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

*he grins at him, revealing sharp teeth*

HA HA HA HA HA HA!! that you are, that you are! but with how you’re “supposed to be” i can CERTAINLY see how you MIGHT have got the idea i was lying about it. though i must say, i am EVER so curious, do you WANT to go back to who you were? or do you want to be your own individual?

… … well. well i am well. hahah. … it … was NOT much of a fight. i think all we managed to accomplish was bite one of them

[vanilly-not-found]

He flinched back, startled by his sharp teeth

"...All- that I want, is to be who I was again. And I will be. It will happen, I know it will. Until then, I'm just.. biding my time. ...When that time comes- think of the parades. The feasts! Oh, it will be spectacular...!

.....More than I would be able to do, more likely than not, hah.."

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

heheheh! awful lot of repetition for something you’re so SURE about. makes it seem more like you’re trying to convince yourself it’s what you want. hahah! y’know what? you could PROBABLY convince them to have big feasts and parades WITHOUT actually being who you were

… … huh … that is. a good point, actually

[vanilly-not-found]

"Pardon-? I'm- very certain it's what I want, actually! It's about the only thing I've been sure of this entire time. And yes, I could probably start a parade or festival or- whatever if I really wanted to, but right now, there's nothing to celebrate. The return of Pure Vanilla Cookie is sure to be a HUGE celebration!"

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA!! but SHOULD you want that? really, SHOULD you? is it SERIOUSLY in YOUR BEST INTEREST to return to being THAT overly compassionate cookie? whatever identity you have carved for yourself up until now would be completely and irrevecably DESTROYED by that situation. HE HE HE HE HE HE HE! oh trust me on this, as someone who knows the guy better than his half-baked, halfacookie friends, his return does not warrant a “huge celebration”

[vanilly-not-found]

"What awful things to say to me! I really AM starting to think you never knew Pure Vanilla Cookie. And if you did, you CERTAINLY weren't his FRIEND! I'm very HONORED that I was him, and I hope I am again as soon as possible! You- you're acting as though I haven't thought about what will happen to me, but believe me, I have. And I accepted from the beginning that I wouldn't be here forever, and that's okay, because sure, I might make a few new friends who will miss me- he has an entire kingdom's worth, and probably even more than that! He has done more for Earthbread than you and I ever will, and I hope when he's back that he remembers this conversation, because maybe he could teach you some RESPECT."

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

ohhhhhh, so you ARE capable of anger! how very INTRIGUING! all i’m doing is telling you the TRUTH, though~! i can HARDLY be blamed for how HARSH it is! hmmmmm, did i ever say he was my “friend”? sure, he OFFERED it once, and SURE i DID invite him back to live with me again. an invitation he accepted, i should note. but i’m getting a LITTLE off topic there. you are SERIOUSLY wanting to ABANDON everything you have made of yourself for THAT old fool!? ever heard that poem about people without enemies? the fool never did a THING with his life. HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA!! OHHHHH you surely must be JESTING, you silly cookie, i must say you REALLY should leave THAT to the professionals. i wrote EVERY book of knowledge there is on this world and started the Blueberry Yogurt Academy. i have done SO MUCH MORE than he could ever hope to accomplish

[vanilly-not-found]

"All of this is hurting my head, and now I'm more convinced than ever that you're a liar. Starting the Blueberry Yogurt Academy.. at least has a chance of being true. 'Every book of knowledge'? That's impossible! ....Hah.. haha-... sorry, it's just.. if Pure Vanilla Cookie really did accept the invitation from you, perhaps you're right to call him a fool. He did so much good, and you can't even acknowledge that. I don't like being angry at someone, I don't, but you're making it so difficult right now.

..No. No, I'm not going to be angry anymore. That's what you were looking for, isn't it? A reaction from me? Well, I only wish that you leave me alone, from now on. We- can go our separate ways, and it will allll be fine.."

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

HA HA HA HA HA HA! oh it did take oh so LONG to write them, and some of them i dictated. MOST of them i used pseudonyms for. so if you’ve ever read a book by Blueberry Yogurt Cookie, Blueberry Milk Cookie, Lady in Azure, or the Fount of Knowledge *he says that last title more like it’s an insult than a name* than you have read something by ME! heh. heheheheh! i only acknowledge what actually happened~! and the biggest thing he accomplished was to STEAL FROM ME!

ohhh i am not LOOKING for anything~! i ONLY wanted to have a nice chat with someone! :)

[vanilly-not-found]

"....I can't say that I know those names, but that might just be on me. III don't read very high-level books. But what I do know is that Pure Vanilla Cookie was no thief! Stealing would be going against- everything he believed in, really! I know he wouldn't do that. You really think you can trick me, huh? Haha-! No!" So proud of himself

"As if! I, am being targeted, and I have been since the start of this conversation. I can see through it all, now!"

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

HAH! well THAT explains why you’re so foolish! read a book sometime, you’d enjoy it. i’m surprised that infuriating PEST White Lily Cookie never told you that. HA HA HA HA! NOT A THIEF? SERIOUSLY? NOT. A THIEF? HE HE HE HE! then where did he get that Soul Jam you wear? like it EVER could have belonged to YOU! or him while we’re on THAT topic

oho! you think you’re SOOOOO clever, hmmm? it’s sorta pitiful, really.

buuuut it doesn’t really matter in the grand scheme of things, give it a few eons and every cookie will forget your name, doesn’t matter how much you do~! well unless you do something beastly, heh!, that is

[vanilly-not-found]

"I do read books! They may not be as advanced as yours, but that doesn't make me foolish! I.. didn't retain a lot of knowledge from Pure Vanilla Cookie. ..First him, then Gingerbrave- now White Lily Cookie? Do you have something against everyone I know and care about?

......The Soul Jam was earned by Pure Vanilla Cookie, from the Witches. That's all I know. I wasn't told a thing about him being a thief, and I still refuse to believe it!

I'm pitiful? You are the one that turned this nice conversatio- I need to calm down. This.. isn't worth getting so riled up about...

I don't mind if they forget my name, it isn't like I've done something that should be remembered. But.. while my friends and Pure Vanilla Cookie are remembered, it will be in a good light! Even if they're forgotten about one day, that's okay, because they were thought of fondly before that. Being known for something 'beastly..' maybe you'll be remembered longer, but is it even worth it if everyone thinks you were a terrible, good-for-nothing cookie?"

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

hmmm, what books do you read? … uhh, well the cheesey one is pretty funny, the drunkard seems fun, and the other one … sorta want to try to make him laugh to see if he’s actually serious about the whole “doesn’t know how to laugh” thing. and White Lily Cookie. she’s the sort of cookie i WOULD have liked. IIIIF she hadn’t been one of the ones trying to SEAL me back into that ACCURSED TREE.

oh, of course. the witches steal from us and actually bother testing our “replacements” … … … ANYWAY! does NOT change the fact that he has HALF OF SOMETHING THAT BELONGS TO ME

*he leans forward slightly, hands clasped behind his back and head tilted incredibly far to one side*

i’m the one who ruined this conversation? heh!! wow, way to shift the blame there, mister “i can only talk about how WONDERFUL Pure Vanilla Cookie was” :D

… that was more a thinly veiled complaint about cookie’s strange fascination with truly monstrous deeds. see, i could have a thousand lectures in front of a hundred schools teaching the importance of eating vegetables to the local children, OR i could kidnap one of the kids from that class for NOT eating their vegetables and then the story of THAT act will be passed down from generation to generation amd those children are more likely to eat their vegetables. is this making any sense to you or do i need to explain it more?

[vanilly-not-found]

"You- don't need to know about my reading interests! ..Wait, seal you into a tree? You just keep saying things that make NO sense...

If the Witches stole it from you, then how is that Pure Vanilla Cookie's fault? He proved himself to be deserving of it! Did you?"

..

"And you keep talking about how he isn't! I'm not going to just- let you do that! If I can help it, which I can't, really, but.. I can try!

......I know what you're trying to say, and I know how I feel about it..... but I can't think of a good counter-argument. Um. I mean.. your example isn't wrong. But maybe the lectures could have been better, so that the kids were inspired to eat their vegetables, instead of needing to be threatened..?" Not so proud of himself now, hm?

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

sure i don't NEED to, but i can still be CURIOUS, hmm? hahah! did she "forget" to mention ANYTHING about Beast Yeast to you? i think you may need to have a little chat with White Lily Cookie after this

counterpoint: i was baked for the SOLE PURPOSE of wielding the Soul Jam's FULL POWER, so how could i NOT be deserving of it?

...

i'm only still talking about how he isn't because you won't stop talking about how he is~!

HAH! oh i didn't just THREATEN them, i actually kidnapped MULTIPLE children because of this. it has proven itself to be INCREDIBLY effective so far. far more effective than any of my lessons have ever been.

[vanilly-not-found]

"I'm not going to tell you about that. Um. I know that White Lily Cookie's kingdom is in Beast Yeast.. that's really it. ..But she must have a reason for not telling me certain things, and that's okay!

Did you.. fulfill that purpose, though?

Well-!......

I probably did go on about him too much, didn't I? Witches, I should really stop doing that.. although you could have dropped the subject, instead of arguing back with me and being negative.

WHAT?! That's- no! Are- they- okay now..?"

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

why not? … hmmm. so you don’t know a THING about ANYTHING that happened there to you and your friends? HE HE HE HE! she took this as an opportunity to hide some … “unpleasant” memories from you, didn’t she?

i served that purpose for longer than you OR Pure Vanilla Cookie have been alive. i was baked when Earthbread itself was still cooling from the oven, after all. HA HA HA HA! :)

you PROBABLY should. maybe get some opinions of your own for once. this amnesia is a WONDERFUL opportunity for you, i must say. weeellll. i could have dropped it. but that wouldn’t have been as fun

yeah yeah i returned them to their parents after a couple of hours. they’re FINE

[vanilly-not-found]

"Okay, I admit that they're- a bit low-level. But I still enjoy them! ..If she did, there must have been a reason for it. She'll tell me when I'm ready.

Even so- something must have happened to get some of your power taken. It's liiike... if an employee is really good and hard-working for a few years, but then they start slacking. Their employer would probably fire them regardless of if they did a good job before.

These are my own opinions! .....When the other Ancients first found me, they gave me the option to- to- not, stay here. They weren't happy to, of course, but they still told me that I could leave, if I wanted to. But I didn't want to, and I still don't.

That's.. good, I suppose? ..It must have been a frightening experience for them.."

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

… if you tell me you’ve been reading picture books i don’t think i’ll ever stop laughing at you. what if she decides you’ll never be ready and NEVER tells you all of your memories? :)

first off, ALL i did was start asking questions, which APPARENTLY they don’t like their puppets doing. secondly, employees are chosen from a group of other applicants for being the best suited choice for the job, NOT BAKED WITH NO OTHER PURPOSE IN THEIR LIFE

how nice of them. really my … colleagues. would never do such a thing for each other.

it would not have had the same effect if they weren’t scared. but i never did anything to cause permanent harm to them

[vanilly-not-found]

"No, no! Not that low-level, Witches no! And she doesn't have to tell me. I'll know everything, once I get my memories back.

Maybe that wasn't the best analogy. I don't know why I'm talking about this, I wasn't there, I know practically nothing about the Witches-..... May I ask- what was your purpose? Was it only to hold the Soul Jam?

..Oh? I'm.. sorry. About that.

I still don't agree with such a method, of course, but I am glad that they weren't harmed too badly."

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

aha! so you’ve moved on to learning sentences books, i see. … fair enough

… … … i was given the Soul Jam almost immediately out of the oven … it gave me near infinite knowledge. i could see the past, present, and future of any cookie who came to me. i could answer any question, no matter the subject or difficulty. THAT was my purpose.

… HA HA HA! WHY ARE YOU SORRY? you’ve never met them, you never had anything to do with them.

i tend to AVOID hurting children unless they’re INSUFFERABLY infuriating

[vanilly-not-found]

"I woke up still able to read, you know! And, maybe if I wanted to I could try reading studies, or essays.. but they aren't very interesting to me, honestly.

...That... sounds... incredible! But- very demanding."

His eyes widened. "Wait, does that mean- could you see this conversation was going to happen? Oh! Can you see my future? Will I ever get my memories back?

Even so, I can still be sorry that they aren't more.. supportive.

So- you have hurt children before....?"

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

HAHAHAHAH! i’m only teasing you about this. i know you can read :)

… it was.

i did not look at my own future much, i only ever saw glimpses, that i failed to avoid. hmmmm, it isn’t QUITE as reliable as it used to be…but i could try looking if you want me to

… … hahahah. and there you go. being SO compassionate again …

i don’t think it should count if they were prevented from hitting the ground, or if the damage was TECHNICALLY caused by a game piece

[vanilly-not-found]

"Oh!.. I couldn't really tell, haha..

No, no, don't look. I think- I would rather not know my future, on second thought. I'm certain of the answer, anyway, looking isn't necessary..!

.....I- would you rather I not be?

..A game piece? How could a game piece damage someone?"

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

i’ll take THAT as a compliment to my acting skills! :)

alright! i won’t look. well i won’t look and then tell you what i see

i would MUCH rather you not be

to be fair the children were about the same size as this game piece and it WAS attacking them

[vanilly-not-found]

"I suppose it is. ..How much of this conversation was an act, exactly?

No, please, don't look at all! If I don't know, then I don't think you should, either. Not that I could stop you, probably- but still..

Let me get this straight- you don't want me to be nice to you-?

Those were either very small children or very large game pieces..."

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

why THANK you!! HA HA HA HA! ohhhh now THAT is something for me to know and you to question for the rest of eternity :)

you are ABSOLUTELY right! you cannot stop me! from doing anything, really, bit ESPECIALLY this

nope! i do NOT want that! i know your friendliness isn’t genuine~!

twas magically created illusions! and shrunk down children.

[vanilly-not-found]

He sighed. "Okay then.

I would genuinely appreciate it if you didn't, though. Besides, you said it isn't as reliable as it used to be. ...Um, question: if you saw something really, really bad in my future- would you want to tell me? I'm not asking you to. I'm just curious what you would do..

......It is genuine. If it weren't, it would have gone away with my memories. Although- it might have diminished a bit. I got so angry earlier! That isn't meant to happen..!

Oh my. Very.... interesting?"

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

…

you would have NO way of knowing i did it unless i was RIGHT in front of you when i did. hmmmmm, it depends on whether or not telling you would have funnier consequences than NOT telling you

HA HA HA HA HA! it seems more like you act nice because that’s what you think Pure Vanilla Cookie was like…

ah. so it doesn’t sound familiar? doesn’t feel like something you should remember? you were there, you know. you saw it happen

[vanilly-not-found]

"...I should expect answers like that, really..

And if I wasn't nice, why would I care what he was like? How I present myself? Why would I eat when I should, and sleep when I should, and do whatever I'm supposed to do, so that he can come back, and not have lost- everything? I.. do have to work to be nicer, sometimes. But not often. Probably with you, mostly. Hm."

.......

"I'm getting the feeling that there was more to it all than just 'I lived with you for a bit.'"

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

you REALLY should

i don’t get why you CARE about any of that stuff in the FIRST PLACE. it makes NO SENSE at all. so those are all MARVELOUS questions, WHY DO YOU CARE?

…

hmmmmm yeah i THINK that was about it. APART from some playing games and suchlike

[vanilly-not-found]

"I know. I don't want to assume you'll always say something I don't like to hear, but I doubt it'll stop happening any time soon.

Well, I care because it's the right thing to do, and I want to do it! It.. it makes me feel good, I guess. Not that that's the only reason. I just mean.. I want to be a nice cookie, and make others happy. There isn't much of a motive behind it."

..

"Let me guess, did one of the 'games' involve- I don't know, hitting someone over the head, or something?"

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA!! you must believe me i do NOT make a habit of saying stuff you don’t approve of :)

*he does…*

ohhhh? and why is it the right thing to do? because you think it’s nice?

no, actually. the ONLY game that MAY have caused brain damage was the Yogurt River, but i do not believe he got close enough to drowning for that to be an issue

[vanilly-not-found]

"I doubt that somehow..! That smile doesn't help. Neither does the laughing-.. which is likely the point, okay...

I don't know. It's sort of hard to translate into words that are factually correct, when it's moreso how I feel. It's just- how I am!

A near-drowning, of course. ..Who was it that could have been hurt?"

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

you take everything MUCH too seriously if a little laughter and smiling is enough to get you THIS suspicious of someone

“just how i am”. hmmmm, rather INTERESTING reasoning to arrive at “this is the right choice” for, presumably, everyone

it was NOT near…Pure Vanilla got out of the river LONG before “near-drowning” could be a concern

[vanilly-not-found]

"But it's how you did it! It wasn't in a very friendly way. Which I don't need to explain.

Well.. I do think everyone should try to be nice, yes. That would solve so many problems in the world. Actually, what reasonable argument is there against that?

..Pure Vanilla!? You- for a game- was he able to swim? Beforehand, did you know if he could?"

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

i was being SO friendly. : )

who cares about REASON all of a sudden? HA HA HA HA!! it REALLY is NOT like kindness ever got me anywhere before. only going to try again if someone i happen to still like begs me to

HE HE HE HE! oh being able to swim does not make a difference in the river i had him go into! i ALMOST thought he would try to hold on to his precious truth until he drowned.

[vanilly-not-found]

"No, you weren't, you're just trying to annoy me again.

But maybe it can be different now! If you want it to be. ...I'm guessing I'm not one of those someones?

What? I don't understand. You- put him in a river, and was going to let him drown, unless he.. let go of some sort of truth?"

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

i would NEVER TRY to annoy ANYONE! :D

… you most CERTAINLY are NOT. it’s not a particularly long list to start with, and i do NOT intend to add you to it

what don’t you understand? you just summed it up PERFECTLY!

[vanilly-not-found]

"You're doing it right now, and I'm telling you, it isn't working. I am not upset.

.....Figured as much. ..It's probably good that I'm not on that list, I'm a bit concerned about what someone would need to do to actually be liked by you..

What truth did you want him to let go of so badly?"

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

i said i’d never try. never said anything about never succeeding at it :)

… there’s only eiiiiigghhhtttt? people on the list. sort of a variety of things, nothing too horrible

all of it :):):):))

[vanilly-not-found]

He loosely crossed his arms. "You aren't succeeding at it, either.

That's a surprise! That they didn't do too bad of things, I mean.

'All of it'?..... Pure Vanilla Cookie wouldn't do that. Of course he didn't. He knew the value of the truth. It isn't something- he could have just casted aside. He held the Light of Truth, for Witches' sake...!" .

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

oh! i’m not? :)

even more surprising for you would be that one of them is Pure Vanilla Cookie. not the one you used to be, of course, different one

yes yes ALLLL of it! and considering he did NOT drown in yogurt it seems SAFE to assume he did, at least temporarily ABANDON IT. HA HA HA!!

[vanilly-not-found]

"No, you're not. I'm really not annoyed at this point, just- confused, tired maybe?

...Oh..? Is he really that different from me?..

....How could you do such a thing to him..!? Doesn't it bother you at all? The fact that you can even laugh about that-!

I need to leave. White Lily Cookie is waiting for me back at the house. I wouldn't want to worry her more than I have to."

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

heheh! well i guess THAT is an acceptable end result, too!! :)

… hmmmmm … he’s pretty much a normal Pure Vanilla Cookie …

he he he heheheh! i had several reasons, BUUUT they don’t really matter anymore. and no, it does NOT bother me! :)

yes YES go RUNNING back to that infuriating little half cookie, haha!

[vanilly-not-found]

"Of course it is..

Does he know the things you've done? If he doesn't, you should tell him..

That's sick and twisted. ...I wanted to give you a chance at first, I did.. I'm sorry that I can't. Not sorry to you specifically, just in general.

...Actually, I'll stay, and explain to her later why I took so long out here. Wouldn't want to miss out on anymore 'fun' conversations."

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

tee hee!! :):)))))

but of COURSE he does! he WAS the victim to SOME of it, y’know

ohhhhhhh! FINALLY someone who has enough sense to know i have NO CHANCE of “redemption” or WHATEVE shit you people believe in

… hwhaaaaa??????

*don’t know HOW to describe his expression other than “wet cat”. so. he just stares at him like a confused wet cat*

you were just SO insistent on leaving what are you up to?

[vanilly-not-found]

"Well, I suppose that it's his decision if he wants to interact with you, then..

...I didn't say that. I just meant.. okay, I'll admit it- you do make me uncomfortable. The strange things you're talking about. Umm.. that doesn't mean that someone else can't try to help you! But I don't think that someone could be me. If anyone could even do that. Yeah...

You wanted me to go 'running back' to White Lily Cookie so badly, that I suppose I can stay here for longer. I don't know. I'm just being petty, I guess."

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

twas unexptected that he agreed to stay with me again. heheh!

… so delusional with those hopes of yours, just like him in that way … oh well i can tell you for CERTAIN that there is NO ONE who can help me! heheh!

egh. White Lily Cookie is BARELY half a cookie and her other half has done SO MUCH more useful things than she ever could

[vanilly-not-found]

"That is very unexpected. Hm. Why would he do that?

I think the word there is hopeful, not delusional. ....Maybe there is someone out there, and you just haven't met them yet. There is a chance, even if it's a low one.

..Her other half? ...This is another big thing the others have failed to tell me about, isn't it.."

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

i think he got a bad case of the “i can fix him”s last time he stayed here….

… you do NOT understand. there is no CHANCE at ALL. No “hope”…

… PFFFHAHAHAHAHAHHWHEEHHEHHHHHHG!!! THEY DIDN’T TELL YOU ABOUT DARK ENCHANTRESS COOKIE????

[vanilly-not-found]

"Oh. That does make sense.

You don't know that, though! I mean, unless you looked at your own future- but you said yourself that it wasn't always reliable.

............." Yeahhh that was a no

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

… … he’s a weird little guy

i haven’t looked at my future … but … … i have good reason for believing this

*he GRINS much wider than it really looks like he should be able to, once again revealing his oddly sharp teeth*

do you WANT me to tell you about her?

[vanilly-not-found]

"Aren't we all, hah..

Then what are those reasons?"

!!

"..I-.. if.. if it's something I need to know.. Then I guess so...? Although, since it's something to do with White Lily Cookie, she should be the one to tell me.."

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

hahah! good point …

… … … … so … hypothetical question … if someone were to take away half your soul and half your powers, would it be sensible to assume that the part of soul you had left was irreversibly corrupted amd you had no chance of ever getting better?

…

ohhhhh it IS something you need to know. and since she hasn’t told you yet do you really think she’ll tell you now?

[vanilly-not-found]

"Well, hypothetically-.. maybe the soul left could be uncorrupted somehow..? Or reunited with the part that was taken? If taking half of the soul was possible in the first place, ways to fix it probably exist, too. Hypothetically."

..

He took a deep breath. "Fine. No. She... probably won't. Tell me, about Dark Enchantress Cookie.."

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

… i tried getting back the other half of the Soul Jam.. didn’t get it … ohhhhh and it MOST certainly is possible to take away half a soul. it’s also possible to take away the WHOLE THING if you REALLLY want to

…

Dark Enchantress Cookie started the Dark Flour War, devoted to the cause of burning all cookies to ash to avoid their appointed fate of the Witches’ Banquet! she also made nice new bodies for my friends and myself and, most IMPORTANTLY of all, used to be WHITE LILY COOKIE

*why. why does he look so happy about this?*

[vanilly-not-found]

He looked at Shadow Milk's Soul Jam, then back at his own, but didn't comment on it

"What was in the half that was taken from you?

A. War. There- was a war.. and she wanted to crumble everyone.... Except you and some other cookies, for some reason...... but- if she's White Lily Cookie-....!

I'm living with someone who started a WAR!?"

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

half my soul. and half of my power. :))

yes yess there was! ohhh she thinks that the war will go better for her if she has the Beast cookies aiding her. so she gave us shiny new bodies!! :D

HA HA HA HA HA HAVHA HA HAVHAHAHAHAHH!! YES YOU ARE!! HE HE HE HE HE HE HEVHE!

[vanilly-not-found]

"Half of your power makes more sense than half of your soul, how do you split a soul in half..?

Beast Cookies.. you're a Beast Cookie. ...I am speaking to a Beast Cookie. Witches help me this is awful. ..You. Aren't actually going to help her, are you!? Even if she gave you a new body. Since you needed one, apparently.

.....She.... has a lot to explain to me. Do- you think I'm in danger, being near her? ..Has she been hiding this from me so that I don't turn against her and try to prevent this war breaking out again? Oh Witches, are my other friends in on this...?"

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

i … don’t know …

the witches are the ones who didn’t even TRY to help my friends and i when we started to corrupt. they for ABSOLUTELY certain will not help you. hmmmm, i have YET to make a concrete decision either way. on the one hand, i would PREFER staying in my Spire and cause chaos from afar, but on the other she DID make these new bodies…

HEHEHEHEHH YOU’RE ASKING ME!? HAHAHAHAHAHAHHHHHHH! oh ho ho HAHEHEHEHH now THAT is HILARIOUS, a REAL showstopper, let me tell you.

[vanilly-not-found]

"Hm....

So they could have prevented it, but they didn't. ..I hope you decide not to help her. Besides, if she wants to burn everyone- who would you cause chaos towards?

I don't know that I was asking you. Maybe I was. I don't know anymore. I think all of this is way over my head and I hate it. I do know I shouldn't believe a word you're saying.. but at the same time, I'm not sure if I can even trust my friends......"

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

…

i knoowwwwwwww. but it does seem like i should AT LEAST temporarily help her … then again the life force extractor i helped her make MIIGHT have been enough

hmmmm, so, seems you’re whole life, your friends, possibly even YOURSELF, has been a lie? how does that make you feel? any regrets? HAHAHA!

[vanilly-not-found]

"The. What. Please. Please tell me that's not what it sounds like it is!

I did the best with the information I was given, and I'll continue to do so.. I just need to.. reflect, on all of this. Probably talk to the other Ancients about it. ..If you were expecting me to give up like Pure Vanilla Cookie did, you are mistaken."

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

the Life Extractor. it is MOST CERTAINLY exactly what it sounds like.

you need to get a LOT better at gathering information, then! and DEFINITELY talk to those other Ancients.

[vanilly-not-found]

"Why would you give her that. WHY would you GIVE her THAT!?

It's not like I have any sources of information besides the Ancients. And I guess you. ..Neither seem very reliable now."

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

in exchange for the new bodies she made! also the SCREAMS totally made it worth it! :)

*… it is impossible to tell if he’s joking or not*

HA HA HA HA HA HA!! how UTTERLY unfortunate for you!! HE HE HE HE HE! you really should find yourself some more reliable sources

[vanilly-not-found]

"..........

I'm done with you, I'm done with this conversation. No more. Okay?

I don't need sources, it's fine. My friends will explain to me what's gone on."

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

awwww but we were JUST getting to such a FUN TOPIC. :(

i doubt they willlll~!

[vanilly-not-found]

"It isn't fun, it's evil. I'm not talking about death, and war, and dangerous games. Especially since you seem to- enjoy them.

Then I guess I'll have to wait until I get my memories back. Fine by me."

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA!!! how do you know it’s those i take pleasure in and not your discomfort?

that may never happennnnn!!

[vanilly-not-found]

"It doesn't matter which one it is, both reasons are bad.

Yes, it will happen. I know it will, and you can deny that all you want, or call me crazy, but I know."

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

then to be clear … it’s both reasons! HAHA! ohhhhh, there are oh SO many stories i could tell you of the stuff that i have done. alll cookies just LOOOVE a little beastly (HE HE HE HE) entertainment, amirite?

you are SO RIGHT. you have LOST YOUR MIND. HA HA HA HA HA HAHHHHHH!!

[vanilly-not-found]

"You aren't right. And I don't care to hear more stories about how you caused suffering for others.

Actually, it sounds like you're the one who lost their mind, not me. My mind is pretty intact. Ironically."

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

ohhhhhhhhhhhh but i AM right! HA HA HA! you’ll understand someday, i’ll make sure of that! :D

weeelllll losing something implies i HAD it in the first place, so i will HAVE to insist that i did NOT lose my mind!

[vanilly-not-found]

"..Excuse me? How do you plan to make me understand? What, are you going to throw me into a river, too-?

You're right about that. My mistake. .. I wonder what Pure Vanilla Cookie will think about all of this. Sorry to bring him up again, I know it's annoying. I don't- really care, though. So um."

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

the river was VERY effective! also he went in willingly, i never forced anyone, for the record.

welllllllll i could always drag mine here to see his reaction….

[vanilly-not-found]

"I don't buy that someone would choose to do that. No.

......Oh? That-.. would make this conversation worth it...!"

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

ohhhh but he DID!! :)

… yes … just a minute …

*he rips open a portal next to where he floats and just shoves his head inside it to talk to someone on the other side of it for a bit before he pops back out with Pure Vanilla Cookie coming out soon after*

[vanilly-not-found]

"Suree.."

.

.

!

He gasped.

"Pure Vanilla Cookie.....!? Wow! It's... lovely to meet you!" His hands shook slightly

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

tis what happened~

…

oh, hello! Shadow Milk Cookie told me a little about you, it’s lovely to meet you as well

[vanilly-not-found]

"Hello! I never thought I would get this opportunity to speak with you! Well, with one of you, I guess-! ..There's so much I've wanted to say if this ever happened and yet III can't recall what any of it is, hah.."

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

hehe! i’m sure you’ll remember what you wanted to say soon

no, i think he MIIIGHT be a —

Shadow Milk Cookie … please … TRY to behave

…

he’s been tormenting you, hasn’t he?

[vanilly-not-found]

"I'm sure I will!"

.

..

...

"Just a liittle bit.. haha...."

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

*Pure Vanilla glances at Shadow Milk, looking rather disappointed, the other pretends not to notice the glance*

i’m sorry about him. he agreed to try to be better. but i think he only tries around people he likes … i’ll have to talk to him about that later

[vanilly-not-found]

He looked between them

"Oh, no! No, there's no need to apologize. Though, a talk would probably be for the best. ..He told me so many- strange things.."

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

he is a very peculiar cookie, so i have no doubt he has said some ... odd things. ... it also seems very likely that it was said with the sole purpose of tormenting you, which does require an apology, and i know he won't give one

[vanilly-not-found]

"Well, thank you, that's very kind. ...Though, is he always like this?"

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

*Shadow Milk is just. glaring between these two, very annoyed at the direction this conversation is heading*

he reminds me a lot of a sheep separated from its flock for too long, scared and lonely and not knowing how to react to being close to others again apart from lashing out against them. he is dangerous, there is no doubt about that, but i have no doubt that given enough time, he could get better.

I am NOT one of your sheep, Nilly

...

... ... baaaa :)

*Shadow Milk GLARES at him, very annoyed*

... ... ... ... baaa

[vanilly-not-found]

"I- I didn't think of it like that! Wow.. I think I understand now."

...

"HAHAHAHAHA-!"

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

i am glad to have helped in some way :)

*Shadow Milk is glaring back at Vanilla Paste now*

IT WASN'T FUNNY

[vanilly-not-found]

"You certainly have!

...Haha.....!

You're right! You're right! .. Ha.."

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

IF YOU DIDN’T THINK IT WAS FUNNY WHY ARE YOU STILL LAUGHING?????

shadow milk, calm down

[vanilly-not-found]

"I couldn't help itt! I stopped now, see?"

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

OF COURSE YOU COULD HELP IT. IT IS QUITE EASY TO HELP WHEN YOU START LAUGHING.

*Pure Vanilla just. gently bonks Shadow Milk on his head, which surprised the other into going quiet and turning to stare at him*

calm down, screaming at people accomplishes nothing. he’s not laughing at you anymore

[vanilly-not-found]

"Not for me, sometimes! It was more the surprise of it that set me off, anyway."

..He was shocked that actually did anything

"Exactly!"

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

whaaat? never seen friends bleating at each other before~?

[vanilly-not-found]

"No, actually. I had not!"

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

sounds like YOU need more fun friends :)

… !? … … shadow milk, if you’re not going to even TRY to be nice, it would be best if we went back home …

i’m being PERFECTLY nice! a little teasing here and there isn’t all that bad

[vanilly-not-found]

"They are fun! Have you not met Hollyberry Cookie? Or Golden Cheese Cookie!"

"Oh. You were teasing. It's a bit hard to tell if you're being serious or not. Though, that's likely an issue on my end. At least, partly..."

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

never met them, but i have seen them before~

HE HE HE HE!! i am ALMOST always teasing! HEHEHEHEH!! so likely an issue on your endd

[vanilly-not-found]

"I'm- guessing that's a good thing.. I think you would cause a lot of arguments!

Aw. Yes, I figured so. I really hope getting my memories back fixes some issues with me. Like that."

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

ohhh?? now THAT could be FUN .:)

HA HA HA! yes. i’m sure that’s how memories work. HEHEHEHEH!

[vanilly-not-found]

"For you. I feel as though someone wouldn't leave the room uninjured, really.

Memories are so strange! Without them, you can't have much of anything. ..That sounds very obvious. Okay, well- it was better in my head..!"

[vanilly-not-found]

( for shadowmilk )

You could sense two being hurry into your domain one slowly and weakly walking in the other confidently and with cruel intent coming in

Oh, great. A disturbance.

He began to watch from the shadows, mildly curious.

[askdarkangelcookieandothers]

You would see a weak injured dark Angel she was shivering she could barely move her wings looked completely broken she was covered in wounds and bruises and cuts , her hair looked ragged and torn apart with what looked to be injuries from bad hits to the head . She was practically limping which was why her presence was so slow barely keeping balance her legs looked partially broken she was now coughing attempting to catch her breath shaking and shivering scared she was then grabbed by the other presence who was clearly an assassin who decided they would have fun toying with her for maybe at least 5 or 6 more hours they picked her up and slammed her against a tree she was able to find strength and hide behind some trees where she couldn’t be got guarding herself with her broken arms and broken wings making little adorable sqeauks in pain

[vanilly-not-found]

He appeared right in front of the assassin.

"Hellooo! Welllcomeee! And whooo might-a youuu be?"

[askdarkangelcookieandothers]

Assassin : why is it your buisness I was ordered by someone to kill that pathetic thing it’s actually kind of cute especially how it fought back it has a lot of fight in it for something so weak you punch it’s puny face it gets back up before she was weak like this she put up quite the fight this game has been so fun I want to play more

You could dark Angel run more and even cry she started to actually cry out for help from people she knew it wasn’t in certain order or importance “ white lily help ! , dad ! , father please help me , Holly Berry , big brother custard the third , cheese ! , dark cacao , dark choco ! Please , shadow milk “

She clearly didn’t know where she was but she was panicked and scared

The assassin looked towards dark angels direction and said “ depending on what my commander tells me you either will die by my hand in 5 hours or I bring you to my commander and they decide if you live or die you are dying today child and no one will save you “

Dark Angel started to sob loudly

[vanilly-not-found]

"Ha. Haha..

AHA HA HA HA HA! Yes, YES, I'm sure it is quiteee the ENTERTAINMENT, to kill, for sport! Although, I dunnooo, isn't there- someone ya forgot to ask permission from?"

[askdarkangelcookieandothers]

The assassin looked disturbed and actually shakes a little a little fear in their eyes for the first time “ I’m an assassin I get a job to kill and I do I usually do kill jobs like this where my victim isn’t really going have someone powerful going after me her father is the anceint who forgot everything and she’s being taken care by the failure anceint “

This asssasin was an idot since they already didn’t think white lily wouldn’t be a threat to them

[vanilly-not-found]

"Yeah yeah WHATEVER. Wanna know a fuuun little secret?"

He leaned in

[askdarkangelcookieandothers]

The assassin backing away but curious nods “ yeah what is it ? “

[vanilly-not-found]

"Everything here, belongs, to me. Incluuuding that laughable imitation of a cookie! Yes, even THAT. Now now nowww! You wouldn't want to take what isn't yours! Wouldja?"

[vanilly-not-found]

hello!! i happen to know who you used to be QUITE well! if you have any questions your friends have not answered yet i could help :)

@master-of-puppets-and-shadows

"You do? I'm.. afraid I'm not sure who I'm speaking with, exactly, but.. I do appreciate the kind offer!"

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

of course!! :)

oh yes, introductions are QUITE important! i am Shadow Milk Cookie!

[vanilly-not-found]

"It's nice to meet you, Shadow Milk Cookie! Oh, that name does sound familiar! I'm- well, I suppose you already know, don't you..."

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

it is nice to meet you again!! i would CERTAINLY hope my name sounds familiar, you DID temporarily live with me for a bit…

[vanilly-not-found]

"I- did....? I'm sorry, my friends never told me about that..."

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

HAHAH! what an INTERESTING little detail for them to CONVENIENTLY forget to tell you about!! yes! you did! we used to play chess together fairly often. :)

[vanilly-not-found]

"We played chess? It looks like a bit of a complicated game! ...Could you teach me how to play again?"

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

but of COURSE we did! oh i would be COMPLETELY willing to teach you again!

[vanilly-not-found]

"Thank you, haha! I really do learn something new about myself every day.."

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

you’re welcome!! heh heh! well i am QUITE PLEASED to have HELPED you learn more, Silly Vanilly :)

[vanilly-not-found]

"Hahaha-! 'Silly Vanilly?' Is that an actual thing you've called me before??"

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

ha ha ha ha!! yes it is! oh we had SUCH fun together, Nilly! even if those kids you had with you were INFURIATING to deal with

[vanilly-not-found]

"Oh, I think you mean-.. what was his name again... Ginger-something? Gingerbright, maybe. I thought he was pretty nice- did he do something to prove otherwise..?"

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

HAH! yes, Gingerbrave and his little entourage traveled with you … and kept INTERFERING with my PLANS, infuriating little BRATS. but that is HARDLY important now~! :)

[vanilly-not-found]

"Gingerbrave, yes that was it-!.. Oh. That's, hm... are you sure they meant to interfere? Maybe there was some sort of misunderstanding..

Anyway! I was just on my way to the market. Would you like to join me?"

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

oh there was EVERY intention of interfering, him and his friends made that ABUNDANTLY clear

hahah! that does sound QUITE fun! sure, i’ll join you :)

[vanilly-not-found]

"I'll try to talk to them later, and see what they have to say about it..

Lovely, let's go then!" He smiled

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

hah! they’ll claim they “had to” and were “saving you from me” … overdramatic PESTS

*he smiles back at him*

[vanilly-not-found]

"'Saving?' Haha! I wouldn't have needed saving! Perhaps they had good intentions, but were just a bit.. misguided?"

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

yes! it was QUITE silly of them! i had NO intention to cause any harm! all we did was play some games and they made SUCH a big deal out of it. and their intentions did nothing to change the fact that their actions were annoying

[vanilly-not-found]

"I'm sorry they did that...! I'll explain things to them, and make sure it doesn't happen again! Okay?"

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

oh that would be AWFULLY NICE of you, Nilly! i would GREATLY appreciate it :)

[vanilly-not-found]

"Hmmm, did I have a nickname for you in return? And, of course, I'm happy to help!"

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

hmmmm. you weren’t much for nicknames … of course you are, always so compassionate

[vanilly-not-found]

"..That does make sense, now that I think about it.. Yes, I do my best to keep that up! I've heard it was one of my defining characteristics, really!"

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

… i suppose it does! haha! :)

oh it REALLY is! sometimes gets a bit annoying about it. ANYWAY! i am oh so GLAD you have such WONDERFUL friends who have been helping you remember so much …

[vanilly-not-found]

"Haha, yes! I.. have no idea where I would be right now, without them to guide me.... I do wish they had told me about you, but I understand that this whole situation is a bit strange in and of itself!"

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

if i was one to guess i would say a lonely amnesiac wandering the country with no hope of EVER remembering a THING about who you were. oh it’s probably for the best, i DOUBT i have the BEST reputation among your friends, i have done some … not great things … in the past

[vanilly-not-found]

"Oh, that's.. a little bleak. I like to think that maybe someone kind would've given me a place to live, food, a job, even.... well, there's no need to linger on that, thankfully!

Really? Ah- may I ask what sort of things? If you feel comfortable discussing it, that is."

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

*he laughs for … WAY too long at that comment*

cookies are not NEARLY as kind as you like to think they are~! what a silly, naive, belief you have, such a silly silly cookie, Silly Vanilly! they would have turned their backs on the strange cookie wandering around talking nonsense about not remembering anything about who he is. paranoia, suspicion, and selfishness are MUCH more common motives than compassion

… yes! … … i tried to fight the witches for one thing

[vanilly-not-found]

He did look a bit upset at that

"Maybe not all cookies would be so compassionate, that is true- but surely, somewhere on Crispia, there would have been someone to lend me aid. I don't think that's a naive, or silly thought to have. Why- really, if you think about it- isn't that what happened? My friends cared enough to find me when I was gone for so long! And I think they would have helped me, even if they hadn't known me before! They're good cookies.

...The- the witches!? That's-..!"

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

oh there probably are other foolish cookies out there who would have ignored the potential danger of allowing a strange cookie into their home, but almost certainly to make themselves look like a selfless little saint! friends helping friends is a special case, really. almost everyone else has ulterior motives when it comes to acts of kindness

yes, the Witches. it did NOT go well for my friends and I, but in my defense those fiends deserved it

[vanilly-not-found]

"You don't think very well of others, do you? I mean I'm sure there is a reason for that, but I really, really doubt that the majority of cookies are how you describe! If they were, there would be hardly any reason to give back to communities, to- to help one another..

I can imagine!"

...

"I guess I can't really imagine, on second thought, um... I'm sorry that it didn't go well?"

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

i’m only telling the truth, my boy. doubt it all you want but it will NEVER change that fact. cookies use other cookies for their own gain and no other reason apart from in VERY special circumstances. tis a harsh truth to swallow, but isn’t it better than suffering under a false hope of selflessness that will never exist?

…

you don’t sound particularly sorry, Vanilla Paste Cookie. but that IS understandable, i suppose. not every day you meet someone who says they’ve tried to fight against the “gods”

[vanilly-not-found]

"I'm sorry, I- thought you said you knew who I was, that we lived together-? I don't think Pure Vanilla would agree with what you're saying, and neither do I! It simply isn't true. At least to me. Please respect my thoughts on it.

...Well.. yes, it is sort of hard to take in! I don't really know what else to say about that..."

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

i know almost EVERYTHING there is to know about Pure Vanilla Cookie. and we did live together for a bit. oh yes the both of you have always been such silly cookies, believing in a world where that is NOT the truth. hahah. so your thoughts on this deserve respect while mine get thrown away as lies, hmmm?

… fair enough …

[vanilly-not-found]

He was quiet for awhile .....

"No. You... you do have a point. Maybe I am being a bit silly not to at least.. consider what you're saying on the matter. It's... just... hard to hear, with who I'm supposed to be, and how he felt about that, but I'm not trying to call you a liar. Really, you might be correct! But it's not my place to disagree with Pure Vanilla Cookie, you know..?

....At least you're still alive and well after such a fight!"

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

*he grins at him, revealing sharp teeth*

HA HA HA HA HA HA!! that you are, that you are! but with how you’re “supposed to be” i can CERTAINLY see how you MIGHT have got the idea i was lying about it. though i must say, i am EVER so curious, do you WANT to go back to who you were? or do you want to be your own individual?

… … well. well i am well. hahah. … it … was NOT much of a fight. i think all we managed to accomplish was bite one of them

[vanilly-not-found]

He flinched back, startled by his sharp teeth

"...All- that I want, is to be who I was again. And I will be. It will happen, I know it will. Until then, I'm just.. biding my time. ...When that time comes- think of the parades. The feasts! Oh, it will be spectacular...!

.....More than I would be able to do, more likely than not, hah.."

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

heheheh! awful lot of repetition for something you’re so SURE about. makes it seem more like you’re trying to convince yourself it’s what you want. hahah! y’know what? you could PROBABLY convince them to have big feasts and parades WITHOUT actually being who you were

… … huh … that is. a good point, actually

[vanilly-not-found]

"Pardon-? I'm- very certain it's what I want, actually! It's about the only thing I've been sure of this entire time. And yes, I could probably start a parade or festival or- whatever if I really wanted to, but right now, there's nothing to celebrate. The return of Pure Vanilla Cookie is sure to be a HUGE celebration!"

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA!! but SHOULD you want that? really, SHOULD you? is it SERIOUSLY in YOUR BEST INTEREST to return to being THAT overly compassionate cookie? whatever identity you have carved for yourself up until now would be completely and irrevecably DESTROYED by that situation. HE HE HE HE HE HE HE! oh trust me on this, as someone who knows the guy better than his half-baked, halfacookie friends, his return does not warrant a “huge celebration”

[vanilly-not-found]

"What awful things to say to me! I really AM starting to think you never knew Pure Vanilla Cookie. And if you did, you CERTAINLY weren't his FRIEND! I'm very HONORED that I was him, and I hope I am again as soon as possible! You- you're acting as though I haven't thought about what will happen to me, but believe me, I have. And I accepted from the beginning that I wouldn't be here forever, and that's okay, because sure, I might make a few new friends who will miss me- he has an entire kingdom's worth, and probably even more than that! He has done more for Earthbread than you and I ever will, and I hope when he's back that he remembers this conversation, because maybe he could teach you some RESPECT."

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

ohhhhhh, so you ARE capable of anger! how very INTRIGUING! all i’m doing is telling you the TRUTH, though~! i can HARDLY be blamed for how HARSH it is! hmmmmm, did i ever say he was my “friend”? sure, he OFFERED it once, and SURE i DID invite him back to live with me again. an invitation he accepted, i should note. but i’m getting a LITTLE off topic there. you are SERIOUSLY wanting to ABANDON everything you have made of yourself for THAT old fool!? ever heard that poem about people without enemies? the fool never did a THING with his life. HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA!! OHHHHH you surely must be JESTING, you silly cookie, i must say you REALLY should leave THAT to the professionals. i wrote EVERY book of knowledge there is on this world and started the Blueberry Yogurt Academy. i have done SO MUCH MORE than he could ever hope to accomplish

[vanilly-not-found]

"All of this is hurting my head, and now I'm more convinced than ever that you're a liar. Starting the Blueberry Yogurt Academy.. at least has a chance of being true. 'Every book of knowledge'? That's impossible! ....Hah.. haha-... sorry, it's just.. if Pure Vanilla Cookie really did accept the invitation from you, perhaps you're right to call him a fool. He did so much good, and you can't even acknowledge that. I don't like being angry at someone, I don't, but you're making it so difficult right now.

..No. No, I'm not going to be angry anymore. That's what you were looking for, isn't it? A reaction from me? Well, I only wish that you leave me alone, from now on. We- can go our separate ways, and it will allll be fine.."

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

HA HA HA HA HA HA! oh it did take oh so LONG to write them, and some of them i dictated. MOST of them i used pseudonyms for. so if you’ve ever read a book by Blueberry Yogurt Cookie, Blueberry Milk Cookie, Lady in Azure, or the Fount of Knowledge *he says that last title more like it’s an insult than a name* than you have read something by ME! heh. heheheheh! i only acknowledge what actually happened~! and the biggest thing he accomplished was to STEAL FROM ME!

ohhh i am not LOOKING for anything~! i ONLY wanted to have a nice chat with someone! :)

[vanilly-not-found]

"....I can't say that I know those names, but that might just be on me. III don't read very high-level books. But what I do know is that Pure Vanilla Cookie was no thief! Stealing would be going against- everything he believed in, really! I know he wouldn't do that. You really think you can trick me, huh? Haha-! No!" So proud of himself

"As if! I, am being targeted, and I have been since the start of this conversation. I can see through it all, now!"

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

HAH! well THAT explains why you’re so foolish! read a book sometime, you’d enjoy it. i’m surprised that infuriating PEST White Lily Cookie never told you that. HA HA HA HA! NOT A THIEF? SERIOUSLY? NOT. A THIEF? HE HE HE HE! then where did he get that Soul Jam you wear? like it EVER could have belonged to YOU! or him while we’re on THAT topic

oho! you think you’re SOOOOO clever, hmmm? it’s sorta pitiful, really.

buuuut it doesn’t really matter in the grand scheme of things, give it a few eons and every cookie will forget your name, doesn’t matter how much you do~! well unless you do something beastly, heh!, that is

[vanilly-not-found]

"I do read books! They may not be as advanced as yours, but that doesn't make me foolish! I.. didn't retain a lot of knowledge from Pure Vanilla Cookie. ..First him, then Gingerbrave- now White Lily Cookie? Do you have something against everyone I know and care about?

......The Soul Jam was earned by Pure Vanilla Cookie, from the Witches. That's all I know. I wasn't told a thing about him being a thief, and I still refuse to believe it!

I'm pitiful? You are the one that turned this nice conversatio- I need to calm down. This.. isn't worth getting so riled up about...

I don't mind if they forget my name, it isn't like I've done something that should be remembered. But.. while my friends and Pure Vanilla Cookie are remembered, it will be in a good light! Even if they're forgotten about one day, that's okay, because they were thought of fondly before that. Being known for something 'beastly..' maybe you'll be remembered longer, but is it even worth it if everyone thinks you were a terrible, good-for-nothing cookie?"

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

hmmm, what books do you read? … uhh, well the cheesey one is pretty funny, the drunkard seems fun, and the other one … sorta want to try to make him laugh to see if he’s actually serious about the whole “doesn’t know how to laugh” thing. and White Lily Cookie. she’s the sort of cookie i WOULD have liked. IIIIF she hadn’t been one of the ones trying to SEAL me back into that ACCURSED TREE.

oh, of course. the witches steal from us and actually bother testing our “replacements” … … … ANYWAY! does NOT change the fact that he has HALF OF SOMETHING THAT BELONGS TO ME

*he leans forward slightly, hands clasped behind his back and head tilted incredibly far to one side*

i’m the one who ruined this conversation? heh!! wow, way to shift the blame there, mister “i can only talk about how WONDERFUL Pure Vanilla Cookie was” :D

… that was more a thinly veiled complaint about cookie’s strange fascination with truly monstrous deeds. see, i could have a thousand lectures in front of a hundred schools teaching the importance of eating vegetables to the local children, OR i could kidnap one of the kids from that class for NOT eating their vegetables and then the story of THAT act will be passed down from generation to generation amd those children are more likely to eat their vegetables. is this making any sense to you or do i need to explain it more?

[vanilly-not-found]

"You- don't need to know about my reading interests! ..Wait, seal you into a tree? You just keep saying things that make NO sense...

If the Witches stole it from you, then how is that Pure Vanilla Cookie's fault? He proved himself to be deserving of it! Did you?"

..

"And you keep talking about how he isn't! I'm not going to just- let you do that! If I can help it, which I can't, really, but.. I can try!

......I know what you're trying to say, and I know how I feel about it..... but I can't think of a good counter-argument. Um. I mean.. your example isn't wrong. But maybe the lectures could have been better, so that the kids were inspired to eat their vegetables, instead of needing to be threatened..?" Not so proud of himself now, hm?

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

sure i don't NEED to, but i can still be CURIOUS, hmm? hahah! did she "forget" to mention ANYTHING about Beast Yeast to you? i think you may need to have a little chat with White Lily Cookie after this

counterpoint: i was baked for the SOLE PURPOSE of wielding the Soul Jam's FULL POWER, so how could i NOT be deserving of it?

...

i'm only still talking about how he isn't because you won't stop talking about how he is~!

HAH! oh i didn't just THREATEN them, i actually kidnapped MULTIPLE children because of this. it has proven itself to be INCREDIBLY effective so far. far more effective than any of my lessons have ever been.

[vanilly-not-found]

"I'm not going to tell you about that. Um. I know that White Lily Cookie's kingdom is in Beast Yeast.. that's really it. ..But she must have a reason for not telling me certain things, and that's okay!

Did you.. fulfill that purpose, though?

Well-!......

I probably did go on about him too much, didn't I? Witches, I should really stop doing that.. although you could have dropped the subject, instead of arguing back with me and being negative.

WHAT?! That's- no! Are- they- okay now..?"

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

why not? … hmmm. so you don’t know a THING about ANYTHING that happened there to you and your friends? HE HE HE HE! she took this as an opportunity to hide some … “unpleasant” memories from you, didn’t she?

i served that purpose for longer than you OR Pure Vanilla Cookie have been alive. i was baked when Earthbread itself was still cooling from the oven, after all. HA HA HA HA! :)

you PROBABLY should. maybe get some opinions of your own for once. this amnesia is a WONDERFUL opportunity for you, i must say. weeellll. i could have dropped it. but that wouldn’t have been as fun

yeah yeah i returned them to their parents after a couple of hours. they’re FINE

[vanilly-not-found]

"Okay, I admit that they're- a bit low-level. But I still enjoy them! ..If she did, there must have been a reason for it. She'll tell me when I'm ready.

Even so- something must have happened to get some of your power taken. It's liiike... if an employee is really good and hard-working for a few years, but then they start slacking. Their employer would probably fire them regardless of if they did a good job before.

These are my own opinions! .....When the other Ancients first found me, they gave me the option to- to- not, stay here. They weren't happy to, of course, but they still told me that I could leave, if I wanted to. But I didn't want to, and I still don't.

That's.. good, I suppose? ..It must have been a frightening experience for them.."

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

… if you tell me you’ve been reading picture books i don’t think i’ll ever stop laughing at you. what if she decides you’ll never be ready and NEVER tells you all of your memories? :)

first off, ALL i did was start asking questions, which APPARENTLY they don’t like their puppets doing. secondly, employees are chosen from a group of other applicants for being the best suited choice for the job, NOT BAKED WITH NO OTHER PURPOSE IN THEIR LIFE

how nice of them. really my … colleagues. would never do such a thing for each other.

it would not have had the same effect if they weren’t scared. but i never did anything to cause permanent harm to them

[vanilly-not-found]

"No, no! Not that low-level, Witches no! And she doesn't have to tell me. I'll know everything, once I get my memories back.

Maybe that wasn't the best analogy. I don't know why I'm talking about this, I wasn't there, I know practically nothing about the Witches-..... May I ask- what was your purpose? Was it only to hold the Soul Jam?

..Oh? I'm.. sorry. About that.

I still don't agree with such a method, of course, but I am glad that they weren't harmed too badly."

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

aha! so you’ve moved on to learning sentences books, i see. … fair enough

… … … i was given the Soul Jam almost immediately out of the oven … it gave me near infinite knowledge. i could see the past, present, and future of any cookie who came to me. i could answer any question, no matter the subject or difficulty. THAT was my purpose.

… HA HA HA! WHY ARE YOU SORRY? you’ve never met them, you never had anything to do with them.

i tend to AVOID hurting children unless they’re INSUFFERABLY infuriating

[vanilly-not-found]

"I woke up still able to read, you know! And, maybe if I wanted to I could try reading studies, or essays.. but they aren't very interesting to me, honestly.

...That... sounds... incredible! But- very demanding."

His eyes widened. "Wait, does that mean- could you see this conversation was going to happen? Oh! Can you see my future? Will I ever get my memories back?

Even so, I can still be sorry that they aren't more.. supportive.

So- you have hurt children before....?"

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

HAHAHAHAH! i’m only teasing you about this. i know you can read :)

… it was.

i did not look at my own future much, i only ever saw glimpses, that i failed to avoid. hmmmm, it isn’t QUITE as reliable as it used to be…but i could try looking if you want me to

… … hahahah. and there you go. being SO compassionate again …

i don’t think it should count if they were prevented from hitting the ground, or if the damage was TECHNICALLY caused by a game piece

[vanilly-not-found]

"Oh!.. I couldn't really tell, haha..

No, no, don't look. I think- I would rather not know my future, on second thought. I'm certain of the answer, anyway, looking isn't necessary..!

.....I- would you rather I not be?

..A game piece? How could a game piece damage someone?"

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

i’ll take THAT as a compliment to my acting skills! :)

alright! i won’t look. well i won’t look and then tell you what i see

i would MUCH rather you not be

to be fair the children were about the same size as this game piece and it WAS attacking them

[vanilly-not-found]

"I suppose it is. ..How much of this conversation was an act, exactly?

No, please, don't look at all! If I don't know, then I don't think you should, either. Not that I could stop you, probably- but still..

Let me get this straight- you don't want me to be nice to you-?

Those were either very small children or very large game pieces..."

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

why THANK you!! HA HA HA HA! ohhhh now THAT is something for me to know and you to question for the rest of eternity :)

you are ABSOLUTELY right! you cannot stop me! from doing anything, really, bit ESPECIALLY this

nope! i do NOT want that! i know your friendliness isn’t genuine~!

twas magically created illusions! and shrunk down children.

[vanilly-not-found]

He sighed. "Okay then.

I would genuinely appreciate it if you didn't, though. Besides, you said it isn't as reliable as it used to be. ...Um, question: if you saw something really, really bad in my future- would you want to tell me? I'm not asking you to. I'm just curious what you would do..

......It is genuine. If it weren't, it would have gone away with my memories. Although- it might have diminished a bit. I got so angry earlier! That isn't meant to happen..!

Oh my. Very.... interesting?"

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

…

you would have NO way of knowing i did it unless i was RIGHT in front of you when i did. hmmmmm, it depends on whether or not telling you would have funnier consequences than NOT telling you

HA HA HA HA HA! it seems more like you act nice because that’s what you think Pure Vanilla Cookie was like…

ah. so it doesn’t sound familiar? doesn’t feel like something you should remember? you were there, you know. you saw it happen

[vanilly-not-found]

"...I should expect answers like that, really..

And if I wasn't nice, why would I care what he was like? How I present myself? Why would I eat when I should, and sleep when I should, and do whatever I'm supposed to do, so that he can come back, and not have lost- everything? I.. do have to work to be nicer, sometimes. But not often. Probably with you, mostly. Hm."

.......

"I'm getting the feeling that there was more to it all than just 'I lived with you for a bit.'"

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

you REALLY should

i don’t get why you CARE about any of that stuff in the FIRST PLACE. it makes NO SENSE at all. so those are all MARVELOUS questions, WHY DO YOU CARE?

…

hmmmmm yeah i THINK that was about it. APART from some playing games and suchlike

[vanilly-not-found]

"I know. I don't want to assume you'll always say something I don't like to hear, but I doubt it'll stop happening any time soon.

Well, I care because it's the right thing to do, and I want to do it! It.. it makes me feel good, I guess. Not that that's the only reason. I just mean.. I want to be a nice cookie, and make others happy. There isn't much of a motive behind it."

..

"Let me guess, did one of the 'games' involve- I don't know, hitting someone over the head, or something?"

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA!! you must believe me i do NOT make a habit of saying stuff you don’t approve of :)

*he does…*

ohhhh? and why is it the right thing to do? because you think it’s nice?

no, actually. the ONLY game that MAY have caused brain damage was the Yogurt River, but i do not believe he got close enough to drowning for that to be an issue

[vanilly-not-found]

"I doubt that somehow..! That smile doesn't help. Neither does the laughing-.. which is likely the point, okay...

I don't know. It's sort of hard to translate into words that are factually correct, when it's moreso how I feel. It's just- how I am!

A near-drowning, of course. ..Who was it that could have been hurt?"

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

you take everything MUCH too seriously if a little laughter and smiling is enough to get you THIS suspicious of someone

“just how i am”. hmmmm, rather INTERESTING reasoning to arrive at “this is the right choice” for, presumably, everyone

it was NOT near…Pure Vanilla got out of the river LONG before “near-drowning” could be a concern

[vanilly-not-found]

"But it's how you did it! It wasn't in a very friendly way. Which I don't need to explain.

Well.. I do think everyone should try to be nice, yes. That would solve so many problems in the world. Actually, what reasonable argument is there against that?

..Pure Vanilla!? You- for a game- was he able to swim? Beforehand, did you know if he could?"

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

i was being SO friendly. : )

who cares about REASON all of a sudden? HA HA HA HA!! it REALLY is NOT like kindness ever got me anywhere before. only going to try again if someone i happen to still like begs me to

HE HE HE HE! oh being able to swim does not make a difference in the river i had him go into! i ALMOST thought he would try to hold on to his precious truth until he drowned.

[vanilly-not-found]

"No, you weren't, you're just trying to annoy me again.

But maybe it can be different now! If you want it to be. ...I'm guessing I'm not one of those someones?

What? I don't understand. You- put him in a river, and was going to let him drown, unless he.. let go of some sort of truth?"

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

i would NEVER TRY to annoy ANYONE! :D

… you most CERTAINLY are NOT. it’s not a particularly long list to start with, and i do NOT intend to add you to it

what don’t you understand? you just summed it up PERFECTLY!

[vanilly-not-found]

"You're doing it right now, and I'm telling you, it isn't working. I am not upset.

.....Figured as much. ..It's probably good that I'm not on that list, I'm a bit concerned about what someone would need to do to actually be liked by you..

What truth did you want him to let go of so badly?"

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

i said i’d never try. never said anything about never succeeding at it :)

… there’s only eiiiiigghhhtttt? people on the list. sort of a variety of things, nothing too horrible

all of it :):):):))

[vanilly-not-found]

He loosely crossed his arms. "You aren't succeeding at it, either.

That's a surprise! That they didn't do too bad of things, I mean.

'All of it'?..... Pure Vanilla Cookie wouldn't do that. Of course he didn't. He knew the value of the truth. It isn't something- he could have just casted aside. He held the Light of Truth, for Witches' sake...!" .

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

oh! i’m not? :)

even more surprising for you would be that one of them is Pure Vanilla Cookie. not the one you used to be, of course, different one

yes yes ALLLL of it! and considering he did NOT drown in yogurt it seems SAFE to assume he did, at least temporarily ABANDON IT. HA HA HA!!

[vanilly-not-found]

"No, you're not. I'm really not annoyed at this point, just- confused, tired maybe?

...Oh..? Is he really that different from me?..

....How could you do such a thing to him..!? Doesn't it bother you at all? The fact that you can even laugh about that-!

I need to leave. White Lily Cookie is waiting for me back at the house. I wouldn't want to worry her more than I have to."

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

heheh! well i guess THAT is an acceptable end result, too!! :)

… hmmmmm … he’s pretty much a normal Pure Vanilla Cookie …

he he he heheheh! i had several reasons, BUUUT they don’t really matter anymore. and no, it does NOT bother me! :)

yes YES go RUNNING back to that infuriating little half cookie, haha!

[vanilly-not-found]

"Of course it is..

Does he know the things you've done? If he doesn't, you should tell him..

That's sick and twisted. ...I wanted to give you a chance at first, I did.. I'm sorry that I can't. Not sorry to you specifically, just in general.

...Actually, I'll stay, and explain to her later why I took so long out here. Wouldn't want to miss out on anymore 'fun' conversations."

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

tee hee!! :):)))))

but of COURSE he does! he WAS the victim to SOME of it, y’know

ohhhhhhh! FINALLY someone who has enough sense to know i have NO CHANCE of “redemption” or WHATEVE shit you people believe in

… hwhaaaaa??????

*don’t know HOW to describe his expression other than “wet cat”. so. he just stares at him like a confused wet cat*

you were just SO insistent on leaving what are you up to?

[vanilly-not-found]

"Well, I suppose that it's his decision if he wants to interact with you, then..

...I didn't say that. I just meant.. okay, I'll admit it- you do make me uncomfortable. The strange things you're talking about. Umm.. that doesn't mean that someone else can't try to help you! But I don't think that someone could be me. If anyone could even do that. Yeah...

You wanted me to go 'running back' to White Lily Cookie so badly, that I suppose I can stay here for longer. I don't know. I'm just being petty, I guess."

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

twas unexptected that he agreed to stay with me again. heheh!

… so delusional with those hopes of yours, just like him in that way … oh well i can tell you for CERTAIN that there is NO ONE who can help me! heheh!

egh. White Lily Cookie is BARELY half a cookie and her other half has done SO MUCH more useful things than she ever could

[vanilly-not-found]

"That is very unexpected. Hm. Why would he do that?

I think the word there is hopeful, not delusional. ....Maybe there is someone out there, and you just haven't met them yet. There is a chance, even if it's a low one.

..Her other half? ...This is another big thing the others have failed to tell me about, isn't it.."

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

i think he got a bad case of the “i can fix him”s last time he stayed here….

… you do NOT understand. there is no CHANCE at ALL. No “hope”…

… PFFFHAHAHAHAHAHHWHEEHHEHHHHHHG!!! THEY DIDN’T TELL YOU ABOUT DARK ENCHANTRESS COOKIE????

[vanilly-not-found]

"Oh. That does make sense.

You don't know that, though! I mean, unless you looked at your own future- but you said yourself that it wasn't always reliable.

............." Yeahhh that was a no

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

… … he’s a weird little guy

i haven’t looked at my future … but … … i have good reason for believing this

*he GRINS much wider than it really looks like he should be able to, once again revealing his oddly sharp teeth*

do you WANT me to tell you about her?

[vanilly-not-found]

"Aren't we all, hah..

Then what are those reasons?"

!!

"..I-.. if.. if it's something I need to know.. Then I guess so...? Although, since it's something to do with White Lily Cookie, she should be the one to tell me.."

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

hahah! good point …

… … … … so … hypothetical question … if someone were to take away half your soul and half your powers, would it be sensible to assume that the part of soul you had left was irreversibly corrupted amd you had no chance of ever getting better?

…

ohhhhh it IS something you need to know. and since she hasn’t told you yet do you really think she’ll tell you now?

[vanilly-not-found]

"Well, hypothetically-.. maybe the soul left could be uncorrupted somehow..? Or reunited with the part that was taken? If taking half of the soul was possible in the first place, ways to fix it probably exist, too. Hypothetically."

..

He took a deep breath. "Fine. No. She... probably won't. Tell me, about Dark Enchantress Cookie.."

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

… i tried getting back the other half of the Soul Jam.. didn’t get it … ohhhhh and it MOST certainly is possible to take away half a soul. it’s also possible to take away the WHOLE THING if you REALLLY want to

…

Dark Enchantress Cookie started the Dark Flour War, devoted to the cause of burning all cookies to ash to avoid their appointed fate of the Witches’ Banquet! she also made nice new bodies for my friends and myself and, most IMPORTANTLY of all, used to be WHITE LILY COOKIE

*why. why does he look so happy about this?*

[vanilly-not-found]

He looked at Shadow Milk's Soul Jam, then back at his own, but didn't comment on it

"What was in the half that was taken from you?

A. War. There- was a war.. and she wanted to crumble everyone.... Except you and some other cookies, for some reason...... but- if she's White Lily Cookie-....!

I'm living with someone who started a WAR!?"

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

half my soul. and half of my power. :))

yes yess there was! ohhh she thinks that the war will go better for her if she has the Beast cookies aiding her. so she gave us shiny new bodies!! :D

HA HA HA HA HA HAVHA HA HAVHAHAHAHAHH!! YES YOU ARE!! HE HE HE HE HE HE HEVHE!

[vanilly-not-found]

"Half of your power makes more sense than half of your soul, how do you split a soul in half..?

Beast Cookies.. you're a Beast Cookie. ...I am speaking to a Beast Cookie. Witches help me this is awful. ..You. Aren't actually going to help her, are you!? Even if she gave you a new body. Since you needed one, apparently.

.....She.... has a lot to explain to me. Do- you think I'm in danger, being near her? ..Has she been hiding this from me so that I don't turn against her and try to prevent this war breaking out again? Oh Witches, are my other friends in on this...?"

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

i … don’t know …

the witches are the ones who didn’t even TRY to help my friends and i when we started to corrupt. they for ABSOLUTELY certain will not help you. hmmmm, i have YET to make a concrete decision either way. on the one hand, i would PREFER staying in my Spire and cause chaos from afar, but on the other she DID make these new bodies…

HEHEHEHEHH YOU’RE ASKING ME!? HAHAHAHAHAHAHHHHHHH! oh ho ho HAHEHEHEHH now THAT is HILARIOUS, a REAL showstopper, let me tell you.

[vanilly-not-found]

"Hm....

So they could have prevented it, but they didn't. ..I hope you decide not to help her. Besides, if she wants to burn everyone- who would you cause chaos towards?

I don't know that I was asking you. Maybe I was. I don't know anymore. I think all of this is way over my head and I hate it. I do know I shouldn't believe a word you're saying.. but at the same time, I'm not sure if I can even trust my friends......"

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

…

i knoowwwwwwww. but it does seem like i should AT LEAST temporarily help her … then again the life force extractor i helped her make MIIGHT have been enough

hmmmm, so, seems you’re whole life, your friends, possibly even YOURSELF, has been a lie? how does that make you feel? any regrets? HAHAHA!

[vanilly-not-found]

"The. What. Please. Please tell me that's not what it sounds like it is!

I did the best with the information I was given, and I'll continue to do so.. I just need to.. reflect, on all of this. Probably talk to the other Ancients about it. ..If you were expecting me to give up like Pure Vanilla Cookie did, you are mistaken."

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

the Life Extractor. it is MOST CERTAINLY exactly what it sounds like.

you need to get a LOT better at gathering information, then! and DEFINITELY talk to those other Ancients.

[vanilly-not-found]

"Why would you give her that. WHY would you GIVE her THAT!?

It's not like I have any sources of information besides the Ancients. And I guess you. ..Neither seem very reliable now."

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

in exchange for the new bodies she made! also the SCREAMS totally made it worth it! :)

*… it is impossible to tell if he’s joking or not*

HA HA HA HA HA HA!! how UTTERLY unfortunate for you!! HE HE HE HE HE! you really should find yourself some more reliable sources

[vanilly-not-found]

"..........

I'm done with you, I'm done with this conversation. No more. Okay?

I don't need sources, it's fine. My friends will explain to me what's gone on."

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

awwww but we were JUST getting to such a FUN TOPIC. :(

i doubt they willlll~!

[vanilly-not-found]

"It isn't fun, it's evil. I'm not talking about death, and war, and dangerous games. Especially since you seem to- enjoy them.

Then I guess I'll have to wait until I get my memories back. Fine by me."

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA!!! how do you know it’s those i take pleasure in and not your discomfort?

that may never happennnnn!!

[vanilly-not-found]

"It doesn't matter which one it is, both reasons are bad.

Yes, it will happen. I know it will, and you can deny that all you want, or call me crazy, but I know."

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

then to be clear … it’s both reasons! HAHA! ohhhhh, there are oh SO many stories i could tell you of the stuff that i have done. alll cookies just LOOOVE a little beastly (HE HE HE HE) entertainment, amirite?

you are SO RIGHT. you have LOST YOUR MIND. HA HA HA HA HA HAHHHHHH!!

[vanilly-not-found]

"You aren't right. And I don't care to hear more stories about how you caused suffering for others.

Actually, it sounds like you're the one who lost their mind, not me. My mind is pretty intact. Ironically."

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

ohhhhhhhhhhhh but i AM right! HA HA HA! you’ll understand someday, i’ll make sure of that! :D

weeelllll losing something implies i HAD it in the first place, so i will HAVE to insist that i did NOT lose my mind!

[vanilly-not-found]

"..Excuse me? How do you plan to make me understand? What, are you going to throw me into a river, too-?

You're right about that. My mistake. .. I wonder what Pure Vanilla Cookie will think about all of this. Sorry to bring him up again, I know it's annoying. I don't- really care, though. So um."

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

the river was VERY effective! also he went in willingly, i never forced anyone, for the record.

welllllllll i could always drag mine here to see his reaction….

[vanilly-not-found]

"I don't buy that someone would choose to do that. No.

......Oh? That-.. would make this conversation worth it...!"

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

ohhhh but he DID!! :)

… yes … just a minute …

*he rips open a portal next to where he floats and just shoves his head inside it to talk to someone on the other side of it for a bit before he pops back out with Pure Vanilla Cookie coming out soon after*

[vanilly-not-found]

"Suree.."

.

.

!

He gasped.

"Pure Vanilla Cookie.....!? Wow! It's... lovely to meet you!" His hands shook slightly

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

tis what happened~

…

oh, hello! Shadow Milk Cookie told me a little about you, it’s lovely to meet you as well

[vanilly-not-found]

"Hello! I never thought I would get this opportunity to speak with you! Well, with one of you, I guess-! ..There's so much I've wanted to say if this ever happened and yet III can't recall what any of it is, hah.."

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

hehe! i’m sure you’ll remember what you wanted to say soon

no, i think he MIIIGHT be a —

Shadow Milk Cookie … please … TRY to behave

…

he’s been tormenting you, hasn’t he?

[vanilly-not-found]

"I'm sure I will!"

.

..

...

"Just a liittle bit.. haha...."

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

*Pure Vanilla glances at Shadow Milk, looking rather disappointed, the other pretends not to notice the glance*

i’m sorry about him. he agreed to try to be better. but i think he only tries around people he likes … i’ll have to talk to him about that later

[vanilly-not-found]

He looked between them

"Oh, no! No, there's no need to apologize. Though, a talk would probably be for the best. ..He told me so many- strange things.."

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

he is a very peculiar cookie, so i have no doubt he has said some ... odd things. ... it also seems very likely that it was said with the sole purpose of tormenting you, which does require an apology, and i know he won't give one

[vanilly-not-found]

"Well, thank you, that's very kind. ...Though, is he always like this?"

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

*Shadow Milk is just. glaring between these two, very annoyed at the direction this conversation is heading*

he reminds me a lot of a sheep separated from its flock for too long, scared and lonely and not knowing how to react to being close to others again apart from lashing out against them. he is dangerous, there is no doubt about that, but i have no doubt that given enough time, he could get better.

I am NOT one of your sheep, Nilly

...

... ... baaaa :)

*Shadow Milk GLARES at him, very annoyed*

... ... ... ... baaa

[vanilly-not-found]

"I- I didn't think of it like that! Wow.. I think I understand now."

...

"HAHAHAHAHA-!"

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

i am glad to have helped in some way :)

*Shadow Milk is glaring back at Vanilla Paste now*

IT WASN'T FUNNY

[vanilly-not-found]

"You certainly have!

...Haha.....!

You're right! You're right! .. Ha.."

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

IF YOU DIDN’T THINK IT WAS FUNNY WHY ARE YOU STILL LAUGHING?????

shadow milk, calm down

[vanilly-not-found]

"I couldn't help itt! I stopped now, see?"

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

OF COURSE YOU COULD HELP IT. IT IS QUITE EASY TO HELP WHEN YOU START LAUGHING.

*Pure Vanilla just. gently bonks Shadow Milk on his head, which surprised the other into going quiet and turning to stare at him*

calm down, screaming at people accomplishes nothing. he’s not laughing at you anymore

[vanilly-not-found]

"Not for me, sometimes! It was more the surprise of it that set me off, anyway."

..He was shocked that actually did anything

"Exactly!"

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

whaaat? never seen friends bleating at each other before~?

[vanilly-not-found]

"No, actually. I had not!"

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

sounds like YOU need more fun friends :)

… !? … … shadow milk, if you’re not going to even TRY to be nice, it would be best if we went back home …

i’m being PERFECTLY nice! a little teasing here and there isn’t all that bad

[vanilly-not-found]

"They are fun! Have you not met Hollyberry Cookie? Or Golden Cheese Cookie!"

"Oh. You were teasing. It's a bit hard to tell if you're being serious or not. Though, that's likely an issue on my end. At least, partly..."

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

never met them, but i have seen them before~

HE HE HE HE!! i am ALMOST always teasing! HEHEHEHEH!! so likely an issue on your endd

[vanilly-not-found]

"I'm- guessing that's a good thing.. I think you would cause a lot of arguments!

Aw. Yes, I figured so. I really hope getting my memories back fixes some issues with me. Like that."

[vanilly-not-found]

( for shadowmilk )

You could sense two being hurry into your domain one slowly and weakly walking in the other confidently and with cruel intent coming in

Oh, great. A disturbance.

He began to watch from the shadows, mildly curious.

[askdarkangelcookieandothers]

You would see a weak injured dark Angel she was shivering she could barely move her wings looked completely broken she was covered in wounds and bruises and cuts , her hair looked ragged and torn apart with what looked to be injuries from bad hits to the head . She was practically limping which was why her presence was so slow barely keeping balance her legs looked partially broken she was now coughing attempting to catch her breath shaking and shivering scared she was then grabbed by the other presence who was clearly an assassin who decided they would have fun toying with her for maybe at least 5 or 6 more hours they picked her up and slammed her against a tree she was able to find strength and hide behind some trees where she couldn’t be got guarding herself with her broken arms and broken wings making little adorable sqeauks in pain

[vanilly-not-found]

He appeared right in front of the assassin.

"Hellooo! Welllcomeee! And whooo might-a youuu be?"

[askdarkangelcookieandothers]

Assassin : why is it your buisness I was ordered by someone to kill that pathetic thing it’s actually kind of cute especially how it fought back it has a lot of fight in it for something so weak you punch it’s puny face it gets back up before she was weak like this she put up quite the fight this game has been so fun I want to play more

You could dark Angel run more and even cry she started to actually cry out for help from people she knew it wasn’t in certain order or importance “ white lily help ! , dad ! , father please help me , Holly Berry , big brother custard the third , cheese ! , dark cacao , dark choco ! Please , shadow milk “

She clearly didn’t know where she was but she was panicked and scared

The assassin looked towards dark angels direction and said “ depending on what my commander tells me you either will die by my hand in 5 hours or I bring you to my commander and they decide if you live or die you are dying today child and no one will save you “

Dark Angel started to sob loudly

[vanilly-not-found]

"Ha. Haha..

AHA HA HA HA HA! Yes, YES, I'm sure it is quiteee the ENTERTAINMENT, to kill, for sport! Although, I dunnooo, isn't there- someone ya forgot to ask permission from?"

[askdarkangelcookieandothers]

The assassin looked disturbed and actually shakes a little a little fear in their eyes for the first time “ I’m an assassin I get a job to kill and I do I usually do kill jobs like this where my victim isn’t really going have someone powerful going after me her father is the anceint who forgot everything and she’s being taken care by the failure anceint “

This asssasin was an idot since they already didn’t think white lily wouldn’t be a threat to them

[vanilly-not-found]

"Yeah yeah WHATEVER. Wanna know a fuuun little secret?"

He leaned in

[vanilly-not-found]

hello!! i happen to know who you used to be QUITE well! if you have any questions your friends have not answered yet i could help :)

@master-of-puppets-and-shadows

"You do? I'm.. afraid I'm not sure who I'm speaking with, exactly, but.. I do appreciate the kind offer!"

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

of course!! :)

oh yes, introductions are QUITE important! i am Shadow Milk Cookie!

[vanilly-not-found]

"It's nice to meet you, Shadow Milk Cookie! Oh, that name does sound familiar! I'm- well, I suppose you already know, don't you..."

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

it is nice to meet you again!! i would CERTAINLY hope my name sounds familiar, you DID temporarily live with me for a bit…

[vanilly-not-found]

"I- did....? I'm sorry, my friends never told me about that..."

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

HAHAH! what an INTERESTING little detail for them to CONVENIENTLY forget to tell you about!! yes! you did! we used to play chess together fairly often. :)

[vanilly-not-found]

"We played chess? It looks like a bit of a complicated game! ...Could you teach me how to play again?"

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

but of COURSE we did! oh i would be COMPLETELY willing to teach you again!

[vanilly-not-found]

"Thank you, haha! I really do learn something new about myself every day.."

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

you’re welcome!! heh heh! well i am QUITE PLEASED to have HELPED you learn more, Silly Vanilly :)

[vanilly-not-found]

"Hahaha-! 'Silly Vanilly?' Is that an actual thing you've called me before??"

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

ha ha ha ha!! yes it is! oh we had SUCH fun together, Nilly! even if those kids you had with you were INFURIATING to deal with

[vanilly-not-found]

"Oh, I think you mean-.. what was his name again... Ginger-something? Gingerbright, maybe. I thought he was pretty nice- did he do something to prove otherwise..?"

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

HAH! yes, Gingerbrave and his little entourage traveled with you … and kept INTERFERING with my PLANS, infuriating little BRATS. but that is HARDLY important now~! :)

[vanilly-not-found]

"Gingerbrave, yes that was it-!.. Oh. That's, hm... are you sure they meant to interfere? Maybe there was some sort of misunderstanding..

Anyway! I was just on my way to the market. Would you like to join me?"

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

oh there was EVERY intention of interfering, him and his friends made that ABUNDANTLY clear

hahah! that does sound QUITE fun! sure, i’ll join you :)

[vanilly-not-found]

"I'll try to talk to them later, and see what they have to say about it..

Lovely, let's go then!" He smiled

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

hah! they’ll claim they “had to” and were “saving you from me” … overdramatic PESTS

*he smiles back at him*

[vanilly-not-found]

"'Saving?' Haha! I wouldn't have needed saving! Perhaps they had good intentions, but were just a bit.. misguided?"

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

yes! it was QUITE silly of them! i had NO intention to cause any harm! all we did was play some games and they made SUCH a big deal out of it. and their intentions did nothing to change the fact that their actions were annoying

[vanilly-not-found]

"I'm sorry they did that...! I'll explain things to them, and make sure it doesn't happen again! Okay?"

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

oh that would be AWFULLY NICE of you, Nilly! i would GREATLY appreciate it :)

[vanilly-not-found]

"Hmmm, did I have a nickname for you in return? And, of course, I'm happy to help!"

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

hmmmm. you weren’t much for nicknames … of course you are, always so compassionate

[vanilly-not-found]

"..That does make sense, now that I think about it.. Yes, I do my best to keep that up! I've heard it was one of my defining characteristics, really!"

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

… i suppose it does! haha! :)

oh it REALLY is! sometimes gets a bit annoying about it. ANYWAY! i am oh so GLAD you have such WONDERFUL friends who have been helping you remember so much …

[vanilly-not-found]

"Haha, yes! I.. have no idea where I would be right now, without them to guide me.... I do wish they had told me about you, but I understand that this whole situation is a bit strange in and of itself!"

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

if i was one to guess i would say a lonely amnesiac wandering the country with no hope of EVER remembering a THING about who you were. oh it’s probably for the best, i DOUBT i have the BEST reputation among your friends, i have done some … not great things … in the past

[vanilly-not-found]

"Oh, that's.. a little bleak. I like to think that maybe someone kind would've given me a place to live, food, a job, even.... well, there's no need to linger on that, thankfully!

Really? Ah- may I ask what sort of things? If you feel comfortable discussing it, that is."

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

*he laughs for … WAY too long at that comment*

cookies are not NEARLY as kind as you like to think they are~! what a silly, naive, belief you have, such a silly silly cookie, Silly Vanilly! they would have turned their backs on the strange cookie wandering around talking nonsense about not remembering anything about who he is. paranoia, suspicion, and selfishness are MUCH more common motives than compassion

… yes! … … i tried to fight the witches for one thing

[vanilly-not-found]

He did look a bit upset at that

"Maybe not all cookies would be so compassionate, that is true- but surely, somewhere on Crispia, there would have been someone to lend me aid. I don't think that's a naive, or silly thought to have. Why- really, if you think about it- isn't that what happened? My friends cared enough to find me when I was gone for so long! And I think they would have helped me, even if they hadn't known me before! They're good cookies.

...The- the witches!? That's-..!"

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

oh there probably are other foolish cookies out there who would have ignored the potential danger of allowing a strange cookie into their home, but almost certainly to make themselves look like a selfless little saint! friends helping friends is a special case, really. almost everyone else has ulterior motives when it comes to acts of kindness

yes, the Witches. it did NOT go well for my friends and I, but in my defense those fiends deserved it

[vanilly-not-found]

"You don't think very well of others, do you? I mean I'm sure there is a reason for that, but I really, really doubt that the majority of cookies are how you describe! If they were, there would be hardly any reason to give back to communities, to- to help one another..

I can imagine!"

...

"I guess I can't really imagine, on second thought, um... I'm sorry that it didn't go well?"

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

i’m only telling the truth, my boy. doubt it all you want but it will NEVER change that fact. cookies use other cookies for their own gain and no other reason apart from in VERY special circumstances. tis a harsh truth to swallow, but isn’t it better than suffering under a false hope of selflessness that will never exist?

…

you don’t sound particularly sorry, Vanilla Paste Cookie. but that IS understandable, i suppose. not every day you meet someone who says they’ve tried to fight against the “gods”

[vanilly-not-found]

"I'm sorry, I- thought you said you knew who I was, that we lived together-? I don't think Pure Vanilla would agree with what you're saying, and neither do I! It simply isn't true. At least to me. Please respect my thoughts on it.

...Well.. yes, it is sort of hard to take in! I don't really know what else to say about that..."

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

i know almost EVERYTHING there is to know about Pure Vanilla Cookie. and we did live together for a bit. oh yes the both of you have always been such silly cookies, believing in a world where that is NOT the truth. hahah. so your thoughts on this deserve respect while mine get thrown away as lies, hmmm?

… fair enough …

[vanilly-not-found]

He was quiet for awhile .....

"No. You... you do have a point. Maybe I am being a bit silly not to at least.. consider what you're saying on the matter. It's... just... hard to hear, with who I'm supposed to be, and how he felt about that, but I'm not trying to call you a liar. Really, you might be correct! But it's not my place to disagree with Pure Vanilla Cookie, you know..?

....At least you're still alive and well after such a fight!"

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

*he grins at him, revealing sharp teeth*

HA HA HA HA HA HA!! that you are, that you are! but with how you’re “supposed to be” i can CERTAINLY see how you MIGHT have got the idea i was lying about it. though i must say, i am EVER so curious, do you WANT to go back to who you were? or do you want to be your own individual?

… … well. well i am well. hahah. … it … was NOT much of a fight. i think all we managed to accomplish was bite one of them

[vanilly-not-found]

He flinched back, startled by his sharp teeth

"...All- that I want, is to be who I was again. And I will be. It will happen, I know it will. Until then, I'm just.. biding my time. ...When that time comes- think of the parades. The feasts! Oh, it will be spectacular...!

.....More than I would be able to do, more likely than not, hah.."

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

heheheh! awful lot of repetition for something you’re so SURE about. makes it seem more like you’re trying to convince yourself it’s what you want. hahah! y’know what? you could PROBABLY convince them to have big feasts and parades WITHOUT actually being who you were

… … huh … that is. a good point, actually

[vanilly-not-found]

"Pardon-? I'm- very certain it's what I want, actually! It's about the only thing I've been sure of this entire time. And yes, I could probably start a parade or festival or- whatever if I really wanted to, but right now, there's nothing to celebrate. The return of Pure Vanilla Cookie is sure to be a HUGE celebration!"

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA!! but SHOULD you want that? really, SHOULD you? is it SERIOUSLY in YOUR BEST INTEREST to return to being THAT overly compassionate cookie? whatever identity you have carved for yourself up until now would be completely and irrevecably DESTROYED by that situation. HE HE HE HE HE HE HE! oh trust me on this, as someone who knows the guy better than his half-baked, halfacookie friends, his return does not warrant a “huge celebration”

[vanilly-not-found]

"What awful things to say to me! I really AM starting to think you never knew Pure Vanilla Cookie. And if you did, you CERTAINLY weren't his FRIEND! I'm very HONORED that I was him, and I hope I am again as soon as possible! You- you're acting as though I haven't thought about what will happen to me, but believe me, I have. And I accepted from the beginning that I wouldn't be here forever, and that's okay, because sure, I might make a few new friends who will miss me- he has an entire kingdom's worth, and probably even more than that! He has done more for Earthbread than you and I ever will, and I hope when he's back that he remembers this conversation, because maybe he could teach you some RESPECT."

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

ohhhhhh, so you ARE capable of anger! how very INTRIGUING! all i’m doing is telling you the TRUTH, though~! i can HARDLY be blamed for how HARSH it is! hmmmmm, did i ever say he was my “friend”? sure, he OFFERED it once, and SURE i DID invite him back to live with me again. an invitation he accepted, i should note. but i’m getting a LITTLE off topic there. you are SERIOUSLY wanting to ABANDON everything you have made of yourself for THAT old fool!? ever heard that poem about people without enemies? the fool never did a THING with his life. HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA!! OHHHHH you surely must be JESTING, you silly cookie, i must say you REALLY should leave THAT to the professionals. i wrote EVERY book of knowledge there is on this world and started the Blueberry Yogurt Academy. i have done SO MUCH MORE than he could ever hope to accomplish

[vanilly-not-found]

"All of this is hurting my head, and now I'm more convinced than ever that you're a liar. Starting the Blueberry Yogurt Academy.. at least has a chance of being true. 'Every book of knowledge'? That's impossible! ....Hah.. haha-... sorry, it's just.. if Pure Vanilla Cookie really did accept the invitation from you, perhaps you're right to call him a fool. He did so much good, and you can't even acknowledge that. I don't like being angry at someone, I don't, but you're making it so difficult right now.

..No. No, I'm not going to be angry anymore. That's what you were looking for, isn't it? A reaction from me? Well, I only wish that you leave me alone, from now on. We- can go our separate ways, and it will allll be fine.."

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

HA HA HA HA HA HA! oh it did take oh so LONG to write them, and some of them i dictated. MOST of them i used pseudonyms for. so if you’ve ever read a book by Blueberry Yogurt Cookie, Blueberry Milk Cookie, Lady in Azure, or the Fount of Knowledge *he says that last title more like it’s an insult than a name* than you have read something by ME! heh. heheheheh! i only acknowledge what actually happened~! and the biggest thing he accomplished was to STEAL FROM ME!

ohhh i am not LOOKING for anything~! i ONLY wanted to have a nice chat with someone! :)

[vanilly-not-found]

"....I can't say that I know those names, but that might just be on me. III don't read very high-level books. But what I do know is that Pure Vanilla Cookie was no thief! Stealing would be going against- everything he believed in, really! I know he wouldn't do that. You really think you can trick me, huh? Haha-! No!" So proud of himself

"As if! I, am being targeted, and I have been since the start of this conversation. I can see through it all, now!"

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

HAH! well THAT explains why you’re so foolish! read a book sometime, you’d enjoy it. i’m surprised that infuriating PEST White Lily Cookie never told you that. HA HA HA HA! NOT A THIEF? SERIOUSLY? NOT. A THIEF? HE HE HE HE! then where did he get that Soul Jam you wear? like it EVER could have belonged to YOU! or him while we’re on THAT topic

oho! you think you’re SOOOOO clever, hmmm? it’s sorta pitiful, really.

buuuut it doesn’t really matter in the grand scheme of things, give it a few eons and every cookie will forget your name, doesn’t matter how much you do~! well unless you do something beastly, heh!, that is

[vanilly-not-found]

"I do read books! They may not be as advanced as yours, but that doesn't make me foolish! I.. didn't retain a lot of knowledge from Pure Vanilla Cookie. ..First him, then Gingerbrave- now White Lily Cookie? Do you have something against everyone I know and care about?

......The Soul Jam was earned by Pure Vanilla Cookie, from the Witches. That's all I know. I wasn't told a thing about him being a thief, and I still refuse to believe it!

I'm pitiful? You are the one that turned this nice conversatio- I need to calm down. This.. isn't worth getting so riled up about...

I don't mind if they forget my name, it isn't like I've done something that should be remembered. But.. while my friends and Pure Vanilla Cookie are remembered, it will be in a good light! Even if they're forgotten about one day, that's okay, because they were thought of fondly before that. Being known for something 'beastly..' maybe you'll be remembered longer, but is it even worth it if everyone thinks you were a terrible, good-for-nothing cookie?"

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

hmmm, what books do you read? … uhh, well the cheesey one is pretty funny, the drunkard seems fun, and the other one … sorta want to try to make him laugh to see if he’s actually serious about the whole “doesn’t know how to laugh” thing. and White Lily Cookie. she’s the sort of cookie i WOULD have liked. IIIIF she hadn’t been one of the ones trying to SEAL me back into that ACCURSED TREE.

oh, of course. the witches steal from us and actually bother testing our “replacements” … … … ANYWAY! does NOT change the fact that he has HALF OF SOMETHING THAT BELONGS TO ME

*he leans forward slightly, hands clasped behind his back and head tilted incredibly far to one side*

i’m the one who ruined this conversation? heh!! wow, way to shift the blame there, mister “i can only talk about how WONDERFUL Pure Vanilla Cookie was” :D

… that was more a thinly veiled complaint about cookie’s strange fascination with truly monstrous deeds. see, i could have a thousand lectures in front of a hundred schools teaching the importance of eating vegetables to the local children, OR i could kidnap one of the kids from that class for NOT eating their vegetables and then the story of THAT act will be passed down from generation to generation amd those children are more likely to eat their vegetables. is this making any sense to you or do i need to explain it more?

[vanilly-not-found]

"You- don't need to know about my reading interests! ..Wait, seal you into a tree? You just keep saying things that make NO sense...

If the Witches stole it from you, then how is that Pure Vanilla Cookie's fault? He proved himself to be deserving of it! Did you?"

..

"And you keep talking about how he isn't! I'm not going to just- let you do that! If I can help it, which I can't, really, but.. I can try!

......I know what you're trying to say, and I know how I feel about it..... but I can't think of a good counter-argument. Um. I mean.. your example isn't wrong. But maybe the lectures could have been better, so that the kids were inspired to eat their vegetables, instead of needing to be threatened..?" Not so proud of himself now, hm?

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

sure i don't NEED to, but i can still be CURIOUS, hmm? hahah! did she "forget" to mention ANYTHING about Beast Yeast to you? i think you may need to have a little chat with White Lily Cookie after this

counterpoint: i was baked for the SOLE PURPOSE of wielding the Soul Jam's FULL POWER, so how could i NOT be deserving of it?

...

i'm only still talking about how he isn't because you won't stop talking about how he is~!

HAH! oh i didn't just THREATEN them, i actually kidnapped MULTIPLE children because of this. it has proven itself to be INCREDIBLY effective so far. far more effective than any of my lessons have ever been.

[vanilly-not-found]

"I'm not going to tell you about that. Um. I know that White Lily Cookie's kingdom is in Beast Yeast.. that's really it. ..But she must have a reason for not telling me certain things, and that's okay!

Did you.. fulfill that purpose, though?

Well-!......

I probably did go on about him too much, didn't I? Witches, I should really stop doing that.. although you could have dropped the subject, instead of arguing back with me and being negative.

WHAT?! That's- no! Are- they- okay now..?"

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

why not? … hmmm. so you don’t know a THING about ANYTHING that happened there to you and your friends? HE HE HE HE! she took this as an opportunity to hide some … “unpleasant” memories from you, didn’t she?

i served that purpose for longer than you OR Pure Vanilla Cookie have been alive. i was baked when Earthbread itself was still cooling from the oven, after all. HA HA HA HA! :)

you PROBABLY should. maybe get some opinions of your own for once. this amnesia is a WONDERFUL opportunity for you, i must say. weeellll. i could have dropped it. but that wouldn’t have been as fun

yeah yeah i returned them to their parents after a couple of hours. they’re FINE

[vanilly-not-found]

"Okay, I admit that they're- a bit low-level. But I still enjoy them! ..If she did, there must have been a reason for it. She'll tell me when I'm ready.

Even so- something must have happened to get some of your power taken. It's liiike... if an employee is really good and hard-working for a few years, but then they start slacking. Their employer would probably fire them regardless of if they did a good job before.

These are my own opinions! .....When the other Ancients first found me, they gave me the option to- to- not, stay here. They weren't happy to, of course, but they still told me that I could leave, if I wanted to. But I didn't want to, and I still don't.

That's.. good, I suppose? ..It must have been a frightening experience for them.."

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

… if you tell me you’ve been reading picture books i don’t think i’ll ever stop laughing at you. what if she decides you’ll never be ready and NEVER tells you all of your memories? :)

first off, ALL i did was start asking questions, which APPARENTLY they don’t like their puppets doing. secondly, employees are chosen from a group of other applicants for being the best suited choice for the job, NOT BAKED WITH NO OTHER PURPOSE IN THEIR LIFE

how nice of them. really my … colleagues. would never do such a thing for each other.

it would not have had the same effect if they weren’t scared. but i never did anything to cause permanent harm to them

[vanilly-not-found]

"No, no! Not that low-level, Witches no! And she doesn't have to tell me. I'll know everything, once I get my memories back.

Maybe that wasn't the best analogy. I don't know why I'm talking about this, I wasn't there, I know practically nothing about the Witches-..... May I ask- what was your purpose? Was it only to hold the Soul Jam?

..Oh? I'm.. sorry. About that.

I still don't agree with such a method, of course, but I am glad that they weren't harmed too badly."

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

aha! so you’ve moved on to learning sentences books, i see. … fair enough

… … … i was given the Soul Jam almost immediately out of the oven … it gave me near infinite knowledge. i could see the past, present, and future of any cookie who came to me. i could answer any question, no matter the subject or difficulty. THAT was my purpose.

… HA HA HA! WHY ARE YOU SORRY? you’ve never met them, you never had anything to do with them.

i tend to AVOID hurting children unless they’re INSUFFERABLY infuriating

[vanilly-not-found]

"I woke up still able to read, you know! And, maybe if I wanted to I could try reading studies, or essays.. but they aren't very interesting to me, honestly.

...That... sounds... incredible! But- very demanding."

His eyes widened. "Wait, does that mean- could you see this conversation was going to happen? Oh! Can you see my future? Will I ever get my memories back?

Even so, I can still be sorry that they aren't more.. supportive.

So- you have hurt children before....?"

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

HAHAHAHAH! i’m only teasing you about this. i know you can read :)

… it was.

i did not look at my own future much, i only ever saw glimpses, that i failed to avoid. hmmmm, it isn’t QUITE as reliable as it used to be…but i could try looking if you want me to

… … hahahah. and there you go. being SO compassionate again …

i don’t think it should count if they were prevented from hitting the ground, or if the damage was TECHNICALLY caused by a game piece

[vanilly-not-found]

"Oh!.. I couldn't really tell, haha..

No, no, don't look. I think- I would rather not know my future, on second thought. I'm certain of the answer, anyway, looking isn't necessary..!

.....I- would you rather I not be?

..A game piece? How could a game piece damage someone?"

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

i’ll take THAT as a compliment to my acting skills! :)

alright! i won’t look. well i won’t look and then tell you what i see

i would MUCH rather you not be

to be fair the children were about the same size as this game piece and it WAS attacking them

[vanilly-not-found]

"I suppose it is. ..How much of this conversation was an act, exactly?

No, please, don't look at all! If I don't know, then I don't think you should, either. Not that I could stop you, probably- but still..

Let me get this straight- you don't want me to be nice to you-?

Those were either very small children or very large game pieces..."

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

why THANK you!! HA HA HA HA! ohhhh now THAT is something for me to know and you to question for the rest of eternity :)

you are ABSOLUTELY right! you cannot stop me! from doing anything, really, bit ESPECIALLY this

nope! i do NOT want that! i know your friendliness isn’t genuine~!

twas magically created illusions! and shrunk down children.

[vanilly-not-found]

He sighed. "Okay then.

I would genuinely appreciate it if you didn't, though. Besides, you said it isn't as reliable as it used to be. ...Um, question: if you saw something really, really bad in my future- would you want to tell me? I'm not asking you to. I'm just curious what you would do..

......It is genuine. If it weren't, it would have gone away with my memories. Although- it might have diminished a bit. I got so angry earlier! That isn't meant to happen..!

Oh my. Very.... interesting?"

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

…

you would have NO way of knowing i did it unless i was RIGHT in front of you when i did. hmmmmm, it depends on whether or not telling you would have funnier consequences than NOT telling you

HA HA HA HA HA! it seems more like you act nice because that’s what you think Pure Vanilla Cookie was like…

ah. so it doesn’t sound familiar? doesn’t feel like something you should remember? you were there, you know. you saw it happen

[vanilly-not-found]

"...I should expect answers like that, really..

And if I wasn't nice, why would I care what he was like? How I present myself? Why would I eat when I should, and sleep when I should, and do whatever I'm supposed to do, so that he can come back, and not have lost- everything? I.. do have to work to be nicer, sometimes. But not often. Probably with you, mostly. Hm."

.......

"I'm getting the feeling that there was more to it all than just 'I lived with you for a bit.'"

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

you REALLY should

i don’t get why you CARE about any of that stuff in the FIRST PLACE. it makes NO SENSE at all. so those are all MARVELOUS questions, WHY DO YOU CARE?

…

hmmmmm yeah i THINK that was about it. APART from some playing games and suchlike

[vanilly-not-found]

"I know. I don't want to assume you'll always say something I don't like to hear, but I doubt it'll stop happening any time soon.

Well, I care because it's the right thing to do, and I want to do it! It.. it makes me feel good, I guess. Not that that's the only reason. I just mean.. I want to be a nice cookie, and make others happy. There isn't much of a motive behind it."

..

"Let me guess, did one of the 'games' involve- I don't know, hitting someone over the head, or something?"

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA!! you must believe me i do NOT make a habit of saying stuff you don’t approve of :)

*he does…*

ohhhh? and why is it the right thing to do? because you think it’s nice?

no, actually. the ONLY game that MAY have caused brain damage was the Yogurt River, but i do not believe he got close enough to drowning for that to be an issue

[vanilly-not-found]

"I doubt that somehow..! That smile doesn't help. Neither does the laughing-.. which is likely the point, okay...

I don't know. It's sort of hard to translate into words that are factually correct, when it's moreso how I feel. It's just- how I am!

A near-drowning, of course. ..Who was it that could have been hurt?"

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

you take everything MUCH too seriously if a little laughter and smiling is enough to get you THIS suspicious of someone

“just how i am”. hmmmm, rather INTERESTING reasoning to arrive at “this is the right choice” for, presumably, everyone

it was NOT near…Pure Vanilla got out of the river LONG before “near-drowning” could be a concern

[vanilly-not-found]

"But it's how you did it! It wasn't in a very friendly way. Which I don't need to explain.

Well.. I do think everyone should try to be nice, yes. That would solve so many problems in the world. Actually, what reasonable argument is there against that?

..Pure Vanilla!? You- for a game- was he able to swim? Beforehand, did you know if he could?"

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

i was being SO friendly. : )

who cares about REASON all of a sudden? HA HA HA HA!! it REALLY is NOT like kindness ever got me anywhere before. only going to try again if someone i happen to still like begs me to

HE HE HE HE! oh being able to swim does not make a difference in the river i had him go into! i ALMOST thought he would try to hold on to his precious truth until he drowned.

[vanilly-not-found]

"No, you weren't, you're just trying to annoy me again.

But maybe it can be different now! If you want it to be. ...I'm guessing I'm not one of those someones?

What? I don't understand. You- put him in a river, and was going to let him drown, unless he.. let go of some sort of truth?"

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

i would NEVER TRY to annoy ANYONE! :D

… you most CERTAINLY are NOT. it’s not a particularly long list to start with, and i do NOT intend to add you to it

what don’t you understand? you just summed it up PERFECTLY!

[vanilly-not-found]

"You're doing it right now, and I'm telling you, it isn't working. I am not upset.

.....Figured as much. ..It's probably good that I'm not on that list, I'm a bit concerned about what someone would need to do to actually be liked by you..

What truth did you want him to let go of so badly?"

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

i said i’d never try. never said anything about never succeeding at it :)

… there’s only eiiiiigghhhtttt? people on the list. sort of a variety of things, nothing too horrible

all of it :):):):))

[vanilly-not-found]

He loosely crossed his arms. "You aren't succeeding at it, either.

That's a surprise! That they didn't do too bad of things, I mean.

'All of it'?..... Pure Vanilla Cookie wouldn't do that. Of course he didn't. He knew the value of the truth. It isn't something- he could have just casted aside. He held the Light of Truth, for Witches' sake...!" .

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

oh! i’m not? :)

even more surprising for you would be that one of them is Pure Vanilla Cookie. not the one you used to be, of course, different one

yes yes ALLLL of it! and considering he did NOT drown in yogurt it seems SAFE to assume he did, at least temporarily ABANDON IT. HA HA HA!!

[vanilly-not-found]

"No, you're not. I'm really not annoyed at this point, just- confused, tired maybe?

...Oh..? Is he really that different from me?..

....How could you do such a thing to him..!? Doesn't it bother you at all? The fact that you can even laugh about that-!

I need to leave. White Lily Cookie is waiting for me back at the house. I wouldn't want to worry her more than I have to."

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

heheh! well i guess THAT is an acceptable end result, too!! :)

… hmmmmm … he’s pretty much a normal Pure Vanilla Cookie …

he he he heheheh! i had several reasons, BUUUT they don’t really matter anymore. and no, it does NOT bother me! :)

yes YES go RUNNING back to that infuriating little half cookie, haha!

[vanilly-not-found]

"Of course it is..

Does he know the things you've done? If he doesn't, you should tell him..

That's sick and twisted. ...I wanted to give you a chance at first, I did.. I'm sorry that I can't. Not sorry to you specifically, just in general.

...Actually, I'll stay, and explain to her later why I took so long out here. Wouldn't want to miss out on anymore 'fun' conversations."

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

tee hee!! :):)))))

but of COURSE he does! he WAS the victim to SOME of it, y’know

ohhhhhhh! FINALLY someone who has enough sense to know i have NO CHANCE of “redemption” or WHATEVE shit you people believe in

… hwhaaaaa??????

*don’t know HOW to describe his expression other than “wet cat”. so. he just stares at him like a confused wet cat*

you were just SO insistent on leaving what are you up to?

[vanilly-not-found]

"Well, I suppose that it's his decision if he wants to interact with you, then..

...I didn't say that. I just meant.. okay, I'll admit it- you do make me uncomfortable. The strange things you're talking about. Umm.. that doesn't mean that someone else can't try to help you! But I don't think that someone could be me. If anyone could even do that. Yeah...

You wanted me to go 'running back' to White Lily Cookie so badly, that I suppose I can stay here for longer. I don't know. I'm just being petty, I guess."

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

twas unexptected that he agreed to stay with me again. heheh!

… so delusional with those hopes of yours, just like him in that way … oh well i can tell you for CERTAIN that there is NO ONE who can help me! heheh!

egh. White Lily Cookie is BARELY half a cookie and her other half has done SO MUCH more useful things than she ever could

[vanilly-not-found]

"That is very unexpected. Hm. Why would he do that?

I think the word there is hopeful, not delusional. ....Maybe there is someone out there, and you just haven't met them yet. There is a chance, even if it's a low one.

..Her other half? ...This is another big thing the others have failed to tell me about, isn't it.."

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

i think he got a bad case of the “i can fix him”s last time he stayed here….

… you do NOT understand. there is no CHANCE at ALL. No “hope”…

… PFFFHAHAHAHAHAHHWHEEHHEHHHHHHG!!! THEY DIDN’T TELL YOU ABOUT DARK ENCHANTRESS COOKIE????

[vanilly-not-found]

"Oh. That does make sense.

You don't know that, though! I mean, unless you looked at your own future- but you said yourself that it wasn't always reliable.

............." Yeahhh that was a no

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

… … he’s a weird little guy

i haven’t looked at my future … but … … i have good reason for believing this

*he GRINS much wider than it really looks like he should be able to, once again revealing his oddly sharp teeth*

do you WANT me to tell you about her?

[vanilly-not-found]

"Aren't we all, hah..

Then what are those reasons?"

!!

"..I-.. if.. if it's something I need to know.. Then I guess so...? Although, since it's something to do with White Lily Cookie, she should be the one to tell me.."

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

hahah! good point …

… … … … so … hypothetical question … if someone were to take away half your soul and half your powers, would it be sensible to assume that the part of soul you had left was irreversibly corrupted amd you had no chance of ever getting better?

…

ohhhhh it IS something you need to know. and since she hasn’t told you yet do you really think she’ll tell you now?

[vanilly-not-found]

"Well, hypothetically-.. maybe the soul left could be uncorrupted somehow..? Or reunited with the part that was taken? If taking half of the soul was possible in the first place, ways to fix it probably exist, too. Hypothetically."

..

He took a deep breath. "Fine. No. She... probably won't. Tell me, about Dark Enchantress Cookie.."

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

… i tried getting back the other half of the Soul Jam.. didn’t get it … ohhhhh and it MOST certainly is possible to take away half a soul. it’s also possible to take away the WHOLE THING if you REALLLY want to

…

Dark Enchantress Cookie started the Dark Flour War, devoted to the cause of burning all cookies to ash to avoid their appointed fate of the Witches’ Banquet! she also made nice new bodies for my friends and myself and, most IMPORTANTLY of all, used to be WHITE LILY COOKIE

*why. why does he look so happy about this?*

[vanilly-not-found]

He looked at Shadow Milk's Soul Jam, then back at his own, but didn't comment on it

"What was in the half that was taken from you?

A. War. There- was a war.. and she wanted to crumble everyone.... Except you and some other cookies, for some reason...... but- if she's White Lily Cookie-....!

I'm living with someone who started a WAR!?"

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

half my soul. and half of my power. :))

yes yess there was! ohhh she thinks that the war will go better for her if she has the Beast cookies aiding her. so she gave us shiny new bodies!! :D

HA HA HA HA HA HAVHA HA HAVHAHAHAHAHH!! YES YOU ARE!! HE HE HE HE HE HE HEVHE!

[vanilly-not-found]

"Half of your power makes more sense than half of your soul, how do you split a soul in half..?

Beast Cookies.. you're a Beast Cookie. ...I am speaking to a Beast Cookie. Witches help me this is awful. ..You. Aren't actually going to help her, are you!? Even if she gave you a new body. Since you needed one, apparently.

.....She.... has a lot to explain to me. Do- you think I'm in danger, being near her? ..Has she been hiding this from me so that I don't turn against her and try to prevent this war breaking out again? Oh Witches, are my other friends in on this...?"

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

i … don’t know …

the witches are the ones who didn’t even TRY to help my friends and i when we started to corrupt. they for ABSOLUTELY certain will not help you. hmmmm, i have YET to make a concrete decision either way. on the one hand, i would PREFER staying in my Spire and cause chaos from afar, but on the other she DID make these new bodies…

HEHEHEHEHH YOU’RE ASKING ME!? HAHAHAHAHAHAHHHHHHH! oh ho ho HAHEHEHEHH now THAT is HILARIOUS, a REAL showstopper, let me tell you.

[vanilly-not-found]

"Hm....

So they could have prevented it, but they didn't. ..I hope you decide not to help her. Besides, if she wants to burn everyone- who would you cause chaos towards?

I don't know that I was asking you. Maybe I was. I don't know anymore. I think all of this is way over my head and I hate it. I do know I shouldn't believe a word you're saying.. but at the same time, I'm not sure if I can even trust my friends......"

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

…

i knoowwwwwwww. but it does seem like i should AT LEAST temporarily help her … then again the life force extractor i helped her make MIIGHT have been enough

hmmmm, so, seems you’re whole life, your friends, possibly even YOURSELF, has been a lie? how does that make you feel? any regrets? HAHAHA!

[vanilly-not-found]

"The. What. Please. Please tell me that's not what it sounds like it is!

I did the best with the information I was given, and I'll continue to do so.. I just need to.. reflect, on all of this. Probably talk to the other Ancients about it. ..If you were expecting me to give up like Pure Vanilla Cookie did, you are mistaken."

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

the Life Extractor. it is MOST CERTAINLY exactly what it sounds like.

you need to get a LOT better at gathering information, then! and DEFINITELY talk to those other Ancients.

[vanilly-not-found]

"Why would you give her that. WHY would you GIVE her THAT!?

It's not like I have any sources of information besides the Ancients. And I guess you. ..Neither seem very reliable now."

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

in exchange for the new bodies she made! also the SCREAMS totally made it worth it! :)

*… it is impossible to tell if he’s joking or not*

HA HA HA HA HA HA!! how UTTERLY unfortunate for you!! HE HE HE HE HE! you really should find yourself some more reliable sources

[vanilly-not-found]

"..........

I'm done with you, I'm done with this conversation. No more. Okay?

I don't need sources, it's fine. My friends will explain to me what's gone on."

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

awwww but we were JUST getting to such a FUN TOPIC. :(

i doubt they willlll~!

[vanilly-not-found]

"It isn't fun, it's evil. I'm not talking about death, and war, and dangerous games. Especially since you seem to- enjoy them.

Then I guess I'll have to wait until I get my memories back. Fine by me."

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA!!! how do you know it’s those i take pleasure in and not your discomfort?

that may never happennnnn!!

[vanilly-not-found]

"It doesn't matter which one it is, both reasons are bad.

Yes, it will happen. I know it will, and you can deny that all you want, or call me crazy, but I know."

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

then to be clear … it’s both reasons! HAHA! ohhhhh, there are oh SO many stories i could tell you of the stuff that i have done. alll cookies just LOOOVE a little beastly (HE HE HE HE) entertainment, amirite?

you are SO RIGHT. you have LOST YOUR MIND. HA HA HA HA HA HAHHHHHH!!

[vanilly-not-found]

"You aren't right. And I don't care to hear more stories about how you caused suffering for others.

Actually, it sounds like you're the one who lost their mind, not me. My mind is pretty intact. Ironically."

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

ohhhhhhhhhhhh but i AM right! HA HA HA! you’ll understand someday, i’ll make sure of that! :D

weeelllll losing something implies i HAD it in the first place, so i will HAVE to insist that i did NOT lose my mind!

[vanilly-not-found]

"..Excuse me? How do you plan to make me understand? What, are you going to throw me into a river, too-?

You're right about that. My mistake. .. I wonder what Pure Vanilla Cookie will think about all of this. Sorry to bring him up again, I know it's annoying. I don't- really care, though. So um."

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

the river was VERY effective! also he went in willingly, i never forced anyone, for the record.

welllllllll i could always drag mine here to see his reaction….

[vanilly-not-found]

"I don't buy that someone would choose to do that. No.

......Oh? That-.. would make this conversation worth it...!"

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

ohhhh but he DID!! :)

… yes … just a minute …

*he rips open a portal next to where he floats and just shoves his head inside it to talk to someone on the other side of it for a bit before he pops back out with Pure Vanilla Cookie coming out soon after*

[vanilly-not-found]

"Suree.."

.

.

!

He gasped.

"Pure Vanilla Cookie.....!? Wow! It's... lovely to meet you!" His hands shook slightly

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

tis what happened~

…

oh, hello! Shadow Milk Cookie told me a little about you, it’s lovely to meet you as well

[vanilly-not-found]

"Hello! I never thought I would get this opportunity to speak with you! Well, with one of you, I guess-! ..There's so much I've wanted to say if this ever happened and yet III can't recall what any of it is, hah.."

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

hehe! i’m sure you’ll remember what you wanted to say soon

no, i think he MIIIGHT be a —

Shadow Milk Cookie … please … TRY to behave

…

he’s been tormenting you, hasn’t he?

[vanilly-not-found]

"I'm sure I will!"

.

..

...

"Just a liittle bit.. haha...."

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

*Pure Vanilla glances at Shadow Milk, looking rather disappointed, the other pretends not to notice the glance*

i’m sorry about him. he agreed to try to be better. but i think he only tries around people he likes … i’ll have to talk to him about that later

[vanilly-not-found]

He looked between them

"Oh, no! No, there's no need to apologize. Though, a talk would probably be for the best. ..He told me so many- strange things.."

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

he is a very peculiar cookie, so i have no doubt he has said some ... odd things. ... it also seems very likely that it was said with the sole purpose of tormenting you, which does require an apology, and i know he won't give one

[vanilly-not-found]

"Well, thank you, that's very kind. ...Though, is he always like this?"

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

*Shadow Milk is just. glaring between these two, very annoyed at the direction this conversation is heading*

he reminds me a lot of a sheep separated from its flock for too long, scared and lonely and not knowing how to react to being close to others again apart from lashing out against them. he is dangerous, there is no doubt about that, but i have no doubt that given enough time, he could get better.

I am NOT one of your sheep, Nilly

...

... ... baaaa :)

*Shadow Milk GLARES at him, very annoyed*

... ... ... ... baaa

[vanilly-not-found]

"I- I didn't think of it like that! Wow.. I think I understand now."

...

"HAHAHAHAHA-!"

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

i am glad to have helped in some way :)

*Shadow Milk is glaring back at Vanilla Paste now*

IT WASN'T FUNNY

[vanilly-not-found]

"You certainly have!

...Haha.....!

You're right! You're right! .. Ha.."

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

IF YOU DIDN’T THINK IT WAS FUNNY WHY ARE YOU STILL LAUGHING?????

shadow milk, calm down

[vanilly-not-found]

"I couldn't help itt! I stopped now, see?"

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

OF COURSE YOU COULD HELP IT. IT IS QUITE EASY TO HELP WHEN YOU START LAUGHING.

*Pure Vanilla just. gently bonks Shadow Milk on his head, which surprised the other into going quiet and turning to stare at him*

calm down, screaming at people accomplishes nothing. he’s not laughing at you anymore

[vanilly-not-found]

"Not for me, sometimes! It was more the surprise of it that set me off, anyway."

..He was shocked that actually did anything

"Exactly!"

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

whaaat? never seen friends bleating at each other before~?

[vanilly-not-found]

"No, actually. I had not!"

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

sounds like YOU need more fun friends :)

… !? … … shadow milk, if you’re not going to even TRY to be nice, it would be best if we went back home …

i’m being PERFECTLY nice! a little teasing here and there isn’t all that bad

[vanilly-not-found]

"They are fun! Have you not met Hollyberry Cookie? Or Golden Cheese Cookie!"

"Oh. You were teasing. It's a bit hard to tell if you're being serious or not. Though, that's likely an issue on my end. At least, partly..."

[vanilly-not-found]

( for shadowmilk )

You could sense two being hurry into your domain one slowly and weakly walking in the other confidently and with cruel intent coming in

Oh, great. A disturbance.

He began to watch from the shadows, mildly curious.

[askdarkangelcookieandothers]

You would see a weak injured dark Angel she was shivering she could barely move her wings looked completely broken she was covered in wounds and bruises and cuts , her hair looked ragged and torn apart with what looked to be injuries from bad hits to the head . She was practically limping which was why her presence was so slow barely keeping balance her legs looked partially broken she was now coughing attempting to catch her breath shaking and shivering scared she was then grabbed by the other presence who was clearly an assassin who decided they would have fun toying with her for maybe at least 5 or 6 more hours they picked her up and slammed her against a tree she was able to find strength and hide behind some trees where she couldn’t be got guarding herself with her broken arms and broken wings making little adorable sqeauks in pain

[vanilly-not-found]

He appeared right in front of the assassin.

"Hellooo! Welllcomeee! And whooo might-a youuu be?"

[askdarkangelcookieandothers]

Assassin : why is it your buisness I was ordered by someone to kill that pathetic thing it’s actually kind of cute especially how it fought back it has a lot of fight in it for something so weak you punch it’s puny face it gets back up before she was weak like this she put up quite the fight this game has been so fun I want to play more

You could dark Angel run more and even cry she started to actually cry out for help from people she knew it wasn’t in certain order or importance “ white lily help ! , dad ! , father please help me , Holly Berry , big brother custard the third , cheese ! , dark cacao , dark choco ! Please , shadow milk “

She clearly didn’t know where she was but she was panicked and scared

The assassin looked towards dark angels direction and said “ depending on what my commander tells me you either will die by my hand in 5 hours or I bring you to my commander and they decide if you live or die you are dying today child and no one will save you “

Dark Angel started to sob loudly

[vanilly-not-found]

"Ha. Haha..

AHA HA HA HA HA! Yes, YES, I'm sure it is quiteee the ENTERTAINMENT, to kill, for sport! Although, I dunnooo, isn't there- someone ya forgot to ask permission from?"

[vanilly-not-found]

hello!! i happen to know who you used to be QUITE well! if you have any questions your friends have not answered yet i could help :)

@master-of-puppets-and-shadows

"You do? I'm.. afraid I'm not sure who I'm speaking with, exactly, but.. I do appreciate the kind offer!"

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

of course!! :)

oh yes, introductions are QUITE important! i am Shadow Milk Cookie!

[vanilly-not-found]

"It's nice to meet you, Shadow Milk Cookie! Oh, that name does sound familiar! I'm- well, I suppose you already know, don't you..."

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

it is nice to meet you again!! i would CERTAINLY hope my name sounds familiar, you DID temporarily live with me for a bit…

[vanilly-not-found]

"I- did....? I'm sorry, my friends never told me about that..."

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

HAHAH! what an INTERESTING little detail for them to CONVENIENTLY forget to tell you about!! yes! you did! we used to play chess together fairly often. :)

[vanilly-not-found]

"We played chess? It looks like a bit of a complicated game! ...Could you teach me how to play again?"

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

but of COURSE we did! oh i would be COMPLETELY willing to teach you again!

[vanilly-not-found]

"Thank you, haha! I really do learn something new about myself every day.."

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

you’re welcome!! heh heh! well i am QUITE PLEASED to have HELPED you learn more, Silly Vanilly :)

[vanilly-not-found]

"Hahaha-! 'Silly Vanilly?' Is that an actual thing you've called me before??"

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

ha ha ha ha!! yes it is! oh we had SUCH fun together, Nilly! even if those kids you had with you were INFURIATING to deal with

[vanilly-not-found]

"Oh, I think you mean-.. what was his name again... Ginger-something? Gingerbright, maybe. I thought he was pretty nice- did he do something to prove otherwise..?"

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

HAH! yes, Gingerbrave and his little entourage traveled with you … and kept INTERFERING with my PLANS, infuriating little BRATS. but that is HARDLY important now~! :)

[vanilly-not-found]

"Gingerbrave, yes that was it-!.. Oh. That's, hm... are you sure they meant to interfere? Maybe there was some sort of misunderstanding..

Anyway! I was just on my way to the market. Would you like to join me?"

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

oh there was EVERY intention of interfering, him and his friends made that ABUNDANTLY clear

hahah! that does sound QUITE fun! sure, i’ll join you :)

[vanilly-not-found]

"I'll try to talk to them later, and see what they have to say about it..

Lovely, let's go then!" He smiled

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

hah! they’ll claim they “had to” and were “saving you from me” … overdramatic PESTS

*he smiles back at him*

[vanilly-not-found]

"'Saving?' Haha! I wouldn't have needed saving! Perhaps they had good intentions, but were just a bit.. misguided?"

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

yes! it was QUITE silly of them! i had NO intention to cause any harm! all we did was play some games and they made SUCH a big deal out of it. and their intentions did nothing to change the fact that their actions were annoying

[vanilly-not-found]

"I'm sorry they did that...! I'll explain things to them, and make sure it doesn't happen again! Okay?"

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

oh that would be AWFULLY NICE of you, Nilly! i would GREATLY appreciate it :)

[vanilly-not-found]

"Hmmm, did I have a nickname for you in return? And, of course, I'm happy to help!"

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

hmmmm. you weren’t much for nicknames … of course you are, always so compassionate

[vanilly-not-found]

"..That does make sense, now that I think about it.. Yes, I do my best to keep that up! I've heard it was one of my defining characteristics, really!"

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

… i suppose it does! haha! :)

oh it REALLY is! sometimes gets a bit annoying about it. ANYWAY! i am oh so GLAD you have such WONDERFUL friends who have been helping you remember so much …

[vanilly-not-found]

"Haha, yes! I.. have no idea where I would be right now, without them to guide me.... I do wish they had told me about you, but I understand that this whole situation is a bit strange in and of itself!"

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

if i was one to guess i would say a lonely amnesiac wandering the country with no hope of EVER remembering a THING about who you were. oh it’s probably for the best, i DOUBT i have the BEST reputation among your friends, i have done some … not great things … in the past

[vanilly-not-found]

"Oh, that's.. a little bleak. I like to think that maybe someone kind would've given me a place to live, food, a job, even.... well, there's no need to linger on that, thankfully!

Really? Ah- may I ask what sort of things? If you feel comfortable discussing it, that is."

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

*he laughs for … WAY too long at that comment*

cookies are not NEARLY as kind as you like to think they are~! what a silly, naive, belief you have, such a silly silly cookie, Silly Vanilly! they would have turned their backs on the strange cookie wandering around talking nonsense about not remembering anything about who he is. paranoia, suspicion, and selfishness are MUCH more common motives than compassion

… yes! … … i tried to fight the witches for one thing

[vanilly-not-found]

He did look a bit upset at that

"Maybe not all cookies would be so compassionate, that is true- but surely, somewhere on Crispia, there would have been someone to lend me aid. I don't think that's a naive, or silly thought to have. Why- really, if you think about it- isn't that what happened? My friends cared enough to find me when I was gone for so long! And I think they would have helped me, even if they hadn't known me before! They're good cookies.

...The- the witches!? That's-..!"

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

oh there probably are other foolish cookies out there who would have ignored the potential danger of allowing a strange cookie into their home, but almost certainly to make themselves look like a selfless little saint! friends helping friends is a special case, really. almost everyone else has ulterior motives when it comes to acts of kindness

yes, the Witches. it did NOT go well for my friends and I, but in my defense those fiends deserved it

[vanilly-not-found]

"You don't think very well of others, do you? I mean I'm sure there is a reason for that, but I really, really doubt that the majority of cookies are how you describe! If they were, there would be hardly any reason to give back to communities, to- to help one another..

I can imagine!"

...

"I guess I can't really imagine, on second thought, um... I'm sorry that it didn't go well?"

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

i’m only telling the truth, my boy. doubt it all you want but it will NEVER change that fact. cookies use other cookies for their own gain and no other reason apart from in VERY special circumstances. tis a harsh truth to swallow, but isn’t it better than suffering under a false hope of selflessness that will never exist?

…

you don’t sound particularly sorry, Vanilla Paste Cookie. but that IS understandable, i suppose. not every day you meet someone who says they’ve tried to fight against the “gods”

[vanilly-not-found]

"I'm sorry, I- thought you said you knew who I was, that we lived together-? I don't think Pure Vanilla would agree with what you're saying, and neither do I! It simply isn't true. At least to me. Please respect my thoughts on it.

...Well.. yes, it is sort of hard to take in! I don't really know what else to say about that..."

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

i know almost EVERYTHING there is to know about Pure Vanilla Cookie. and we did live together for a bit. oh yes the both of you have always been such silly cookies, believing in a world where that is NOT the truth. hahah. so your thoughts on this deserve respect while mine get thrown away as lies, hmmm?

… fair enough …

[vanilly-not-found]

He was quiet for awhile .....

"No. You... you do have a point. Maybe I am being a bit silly not to at least.. consider what you're saying on the matter. It's... just... hard to hear, with who I'm supposed to be, and how he felt about that, but I'm not trying to call you a liar. Really, you might be correct! But it's not my place to disagree with Pure Vanilla Cookie, you know..?

....At least you're still alive and well after such a fight!"

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

*he grins at him, revealing sharp teeth*

HA HA HA HA HA HA!! that you are, that you are! but with how you’re “supposed to be” i can CERTAINLY see how you MIGHT have got the idea i was lying about it. though i must say, i am EVER so curious, do you WANT to go back to who you were? or do you want to be your own individual?

… … well. well i am well. hahah. … it … was NOT much of a fight. i think all we managed to accomplish was bite one of them

[vanilly-not-found]

He flinched back, startled by his sharp teeth

"...All- that I want, is to be who I was again. And I will be. It will happen, I know it will. Until then, I'm just.. biding my time. ...When that time comes- think of the parades. The feasts! Oh, it will be spectacular...!

.....More than I would be able to do, more likely than not, hah.."

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

heheheh! awful lot of repetition for something you’re so SURE about. makes it seem more like you’re trying to convince yourself it’s what you want. hahah! y’know what? you could PROBABLY convince them to have big feasts and parades WITHOUT actually being who you were

… … huh … that is. a good point, actually

[vanilly-not-found]

"Pardon-? I'm- very certain it's what I want, actually! It's about the only thing I've been sure of this entire time. And yes, I could probably start a parade or festival or- whatever if I really wanted to, but right now, there's nothing to celebrate. The return of Pure Vanilla Cookie is sure to be a HUGE celebration!"

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA!! but SHOULD you want that? really, SHOULD you? is it SERIOUSLY in YOUR BEST INTEREST to return to being THAT overly compassionate cookie? whatever identity you have carved for yourself up until now would be completely and irrevecably DESTROYED by that situation. HE HE HE HE HE HE HE! oh trust me on this, as someone who knows the guy better than his half-baked, halfacookie friends, his return does not warrant a “huge celebration”

[vanilly-not-found]

"What awful things to say to me! I really AM starting to think you never knew Pure Vanilla Cookie. And if you did, you CERTAINLY weren't his FRIEND! I'm very HONORED that I was him, and I hope I am again as soon as possible! You- you're acting as though I haven't thought about what will happen to me, but believe me, I have. And I accepted from the beginning that I wouldn't be here forever, and that's okay, because sure, I might make a few new friends who will miss me- he has an entire kingdom's worth, and probably even more than that! He has done more for Earthbread than you and I ever will, and I hope when he's back that he remembers this conversation, because maybe he could teach you some RESPECT."

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

ohhhhhh, so you ARE capable of anger! how very INTRIGUING! all i’m doing is telling you the TRUTH, though~! i can HARDLY be blamed for how HARSH it is! hmmmmm, did i ever say he was my “friend”? sure, he OFFERED it once, and SURE i DID invite him back to live with me again. an invitation he accepted, i should note. but i’m getting a LITTLE off topic there. you are SERIOUSLY wanting to ABANDON everything you have made of yourself for THAT old fool!? ever heard that poem about people without enemies? the fool never did a THING with his life. HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA!! OHHHHH you surely must be JESTING, you silly cookie, i must say you REALLY should leave THAT to the professionals. i wrote EVERY book of knowledge there is on this world and started the Blueberry Yogurt Academy. i have done SO MUCH MORE than he could ever hope to accomplish

[vanilly-not-found]

"All of this is hurting my head, and now I'm more convinced than ever that you're a liar. Starting the Blueberry Yogurt Academy.. at least has a chance of being true. 'Every book of knowledge'? That's impossible! ....Hah.. haha-... sorry, it's just.. if Pure Vanilla Cookie really did accept the invitation from you, perhaps you're right to call him a fool. He did so much good, and you can't even acknowledge that. I don't like being angry at someone, I don't, but you're making it so difficult right now.

..No. No, I'm not going to be angry anymore. That's what you were looking for, isn't it? A reaction from me? Well, I only wish that you leave me alone, from now on. We- can go our separate ways, and it will allll be fine.."

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

HA HA HA HA HA HA! oh it did take oh so LONG to write them, and some of them i dictated. MOST of them i used pseudonyms for. so if you’ve ever read a book by Blueberry Yogurt Cookie, Blueberry Milk Cookie, Lady in Azure, or the Fount of Knowledge *he says that last title more like it’s an insult than a name* than you have read something by ME! heh. heheheheh! i only acknowledge what actually happened~! and the biggest thing he accomplished was to STEAL FROM ME!

ohhh i am not LOOKING for anything~! i ONLY wanted to have a nice chat with someone! :)

[vanilly-not-found]

"....I can't say that I know those names, but that might just be on me. III don't read very high-level books. But what I do know is that Pure Vanilla Cookie was no thief! Stealing would be going against- everything he believed in, really! I know he wouldn't do that. You really think you can trick me, huh? Haha-! No!" So proud of himself

"As if! I, am being targeted, and I have been since the start of this conversation. I can see through it all, now!"

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

HAH! well THAT explains why you’re so foolish! read a book sometime, you’d enjoy it. i’m surprised that infuriating PEST White Lily Cookie never told you that. HA HA HA HA! NOT A THIEF? SERIOUSLY? NOT. A THIEF? HE HE HE HE! then where did he get that Soul Jam you wear? like it EVER could have belonged to YOU! or him while we’re on THAT topic

oho! you think you’re SOOOOO clever, hmmm? it’s sorta pitiful, really.

buuuut it doesn’t really matter in the grand scheme of things, give it a few eons and every cookie will forget your name, doesn’t matter how much you do~! well unless you do something beastly, heh!, that is

[vanilly-not-found]

"I do read books! They may not be as advanced as yours, but that doesn't make me foolish! I.. didn't retain a lot of knowledge from Pure Vanilla Cookie. ..First him, then Gingerbrave- now White Lily Cookie? Do you have something against everyone I know and care about?

......The Soul Jam was earned by Pure Vanilla Cookie, from the Witches. That's all I know. I wasn't told a thing about him being a thief, and I still refuse to believe it!

I'm pitiful? You are the one that turned this nice conversatio- I need to calm down. This.. isn't worth getting so riled up about...

I don't mind if they forget my name, it isn't like I've done something that should be remembered. But.. while my friends and Pure Vanilla Cookie are remembered, it will be in a good light! Even if they're forgotten about one day, that's okay, because they were thought of fondly before that. Being known for something 'beastly..' maybe you'll be remembered longer, but is it even worth it if everyone thinks you were a terrible, good-for-nothing cookie?"

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

hmmm, what books do you read? … uhh, well the cheesey one is pretty funny, the drunkard seems fun, and the other one … sorta want to try to make him laugh to see if he’s actually serious about the whole “doesn’t know how to laugh” thing. and White Lily Cookie. she’s the sort of cookie i WOULD have liked. IIIIF she hadn’t been one of the ones trying to SEAL me back into that ACCURSED TREE.

oh, of course. the witches steal from us and actually bother testing our “replacements” … … … ANYWAY! does NOT change the fact that he has HALF OF SOMETHING THAT BELONGS TO ME

*he leans forward slightly, hands clasped behind his back and head tilted incredibly far to one side*

i’m the one who ruined this conversation? heh!! wow, way to shift the blame there, mister “i can only talk about how WONDERFUL Pure Vanilla Cookie was” :D

… that was more a thinly veiled complaint about cookie’s strange fascination with truly monstrous deeds. see, i could have a thousand lectures in front of a hundred schools teaching the importance of eating vegetables to the local children, OR i could kidnap one of the kids from that class for NOT eating their vegetables and then the story of THAT act will be passed down from generation to generation amd those children are more likely to eat their vegetables. is this making any sense to you or do i need to explain it more?

[vanilly-not-found]

"You- don't need to know about my reading interests! ..Wait, seal you into a tree? You just keep saying things that make NO sense...

If the Witches stole it from you, then how is that Pure Vanilla Cookie's fault? He proved himself to be deserving of it! Did you?"

..

"And you keep talking about how he isn't! I'm not going to just- let you do that! If I can help it, which I can't, really, but.. I can try!

......I know what you're trying to say, and I know how I feel about it..... but I can't think of a good counter-argument. Um. I mean.. your example isn't wrong. But maybe the lectures could have been better, so that the kids were inspired to eat their vegetables, instead of needing to be threatened..?" Not so proud of himself now, hm?

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

sure i don't NEED to, but i can still be CURIOUS, hmm? hahah! did she "forget" to mention ANYTHING about Beast Yeast to you? i think you may need to have a little chat with White Lily Cookie after this

counterpoint: i was baked for the SOLE PURPOSE of wielding the Soul Jam's FULL POWER, so how could i NOT be deserving of it?

...

i'm only still talking about how he isn't because you won't stop talking about how he is~!

HAH! oh i didn't just THREATEN them, i actually kidnapped MULTIPLE children because of this. it has proven itself to be INCREDIBLY effective so far. far more effective than any of my lessons have ever been.

[vanilly-not-found]

"I'm not going to tell you about that. Um. I know that White Lily Cookie's kingdom is in Beast Yeast.. that's really it. ..But she must have a reason for not telling me certain things, and that's okay!

Did you.. fulfill that purpose, though?

Well-!......

I probably did go on about him too much, didn't I? Witches, I should really stop doing that.. although you could have dropped the subject, instead of arguing back with me and being negative.

WHAT?! That's- no! Are- they- okay now..?"

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

why not? … hmmm. so you don’t know a THING about ANYTHING that happened there to you and your friends? HE HE HE HE! she took this as an opportunity to hide some … “unpleasant” memories from you, didn’t she?

i served that purpose for longer than you OR Pure Vanilla Cookie have been alive. i was baked when Earthbread itself was still cooling from the oven, after all. HA HA HA HA! :)

you PROBABLY should. maybe get some opinions of your own for once. this amnesia is a WONDERFUL opportunity for you, i must say. weeellll. i could have dropped it. but that wouldn’t have been as fun

yeah yeah i returned them to their parents after a couple of hours. they’re FINE

[vanilly-not-found]

"Okay, I admit that they're- a bit low-level. But I still enjoy them! ..If she did, there must have been a reason for it. She'll tell me when I'm ready.

Even so- something must have happened to get some of your power taken. It's liiike... if an employee is really good and hard-working for a few years, but then they start slacking. Their employer would probably fire them regardless of if they did a good job before.

These are my own opinions! .....When the other Ancients first found me, they gave me the option to- to- not, stay here. They weren't happy to, of course, but they still told me that I could leave, if I wanted to. But I didn't want to, and I still don't.

That's.. good, I suppose? ..It must have been a frightening experience for them.."

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

… if you tell me you’ve been reading picture books i don’t think i’ll ever stop laughing at you. what if she decides you’ll never be ready and NEVER tells you all of your memories? :)

first off, ALL i did was start asking questions, which APPARENTLY they don’t like their puppets doing. secondly, employees are chosen from a group of other applicants for being the best suited choice for the job, NOT BAKED WITH NO OTHER PURPOSE IN THEIR LIFE

how nice of them. really my … colleagues. would never do such a thing for each other.

it would not have had the same effect if they weren’t scared. but i never did anything to cause permanent harm to them

[vanilly-not-found]

"No, no! Not that low-level, Witches no! And she doesn't have to tell me. I'll know everything, once I get my memories back.

Maybe that wasn't the best analogy. I don't know why I'm talking about this, I wasn't there, I know practically nothing about the Witches-..... May I ask- what was your purpose? Was it only to hold the Soul Jam?

..Oh? I'm.. sorry. About that.

I still don't agree with such a method, of course, but I am glad that they weren't harmed too badly."

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

aha! so you’ve moved on to learning sentences books, i see. … fair enough

… … … i was given the Soul Jam almost immediately out of the oven … it gave me near infinite knowledge. i could see the past, present, and future of any cookie who came to me. i could answer any question, no matter the subject or difficulty. THAT was my purpose.

… HA HA HA! WHY ARE YOU SORRY? you’ve never met them, you never had anything to do with them.

i tend to AVOID hurting children unless they’re INSUFFERABLY infuriating

[vanilly-not-found]

"I woke up still able to read, you know! And, maybe if I wanted to I could try reading studies, or essays.. but they aren't very interesting to me, honestly.

...That... sounds... incredible! But- very demanding."

His eyes widened. "Wait, does that mean- could you see this conversation was going to happen? Oh! Can you see my future? Will I ever get my memories back?

Even so, I can still be sorry that they aren't more.. supportive.

So- you have hurt children before....?"

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

HAHAHAHAH! i’m only teasing you about this. i know you can read :)

… it was.

i did not look at my own future much, i only ever saw glimpses, that i failed to avoid. hmmmm, it isn’t QUITE as reliable as it used to be…but i could try looking if you want me to

… … hahahah. and there you go. being SO compassionate again …

i don’t think it should count if they were prevented from hitting the ground, or if the damage was TECHNICALLY caused by a game piece

[vanilly-not-found]

"Oh!.. I couldn't really tell, haha..

No, no, don't look. I think- I would rather not know my future, on second thought. I'm certain of the answer, anyway, looking isn't necessary..!

.....I- would you rather I not be?

..A game piece? How could a game piece damage someone?"

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

i’ll take THAT as a compliment to my acting skills! :)

alright! i won’t look. well i won’t look and then tell you what i see

i would MUCH rather you not be

to be fair the children were about the same size as this game piece and it WAS attacking them

[vanilly-not-found]

"I suppose it is. ..How much of this conversation was an act, exactly?

No, please, don't look at all! If I don't know, then I don't think you should, either. Not that I could stop you, probably- but still..

Let me get this straight- you don't want me to be nice to you-?

Those were either very small children or very large game pieces..."

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

why THANK you!! HA HA HA HA! ohhhh now THAT is something for me to know and you to question for the rest of eternity :)

you are ABSOLUTELY right! you cannot stop me! from doing anything, really, bit ESPECIALLY this

nope! i do NOT want that! i know your friendliness isn’t genuine~!

twas magically created illusions! and shrunk down children.

[vanilly-not-found]

He sighed. "Okay then.

I would genuinely appreciate it if you didn't, though. Besides, you said it isn't as reliable as it used to be. ...Um, question: if you saw something really, really bad in my future- would you want to tell me? I'm not asking you to. I'm just curious what you would do..

......It is genuine. If it weren't, it would have gone away with my memories. Although- it might have diminished a bit. I got so angry earlier! That isn't meant to happen..!

Oh my. Very.... interesting?"

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

…

you would have NO way of knowing i did it unless i was RIGHT in front of you when i did. hmmmmm, it depends on whether or not telling you would have funnier consequences than NOT telling you

HA HA HA HA HA! it seems more like you act nice because that’s what you think Pure Vanilla Cookie was like…

ah. so it doesn’t sound familiar? doesn’t feel like something you should remember? you were there, you know. you saw it happen

[vanilly-not-found]

"...I should expect answers like that, really..

And if I wasn't nice, why would I care what he was like? How I present myself? Why would I eat when I should, and sleep when I should, and do whatever I'm supposed to do, so that he can come back, and not have lost- everything? I.. do have to work to be nicer, sometimes. But not often. Probably with you, mostly. Hm."

.......

"I'm getting the feeling that there was more to it all than just 'I lived with you for a bit.'"

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

you REALLY should

i don’t get why you CARE about any of that stuff in the FIRST PLACE. it makes NO SENSE at all. so those are all MARVELOUS questions, WHY DO YOU CARE?

…

hmmmmm yeah i THINK that was about it. APART from some playing games and suchlike

[vanilly-not-found]

"I know. I don't want to assume you'll always say something I don't like to hear, but I doubt it'll stop happening any time soon.

Well, I care because it's the right thing to do, and I want to do it! It.. it makes me feel good, I guess. Not that that's the only reason. I just mean.. I want to be a nice cookie, and make others happy. There isn't much of a motive behind it."

..

"Let me guess, did one of the 'games' involve- I don't know, hitting someone over the head, or something?"

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA!! you must believe me i do NOT make a habit of saying stuff you don’t approve of :)

*he does…*

ohhhh? and why is it the right thing to do? because you think it’s nice?

no, actually. the ONLY game that MAY have caused brain damage was the Yogurt River, but i do not believe he got close enough to drowning for that to be an issue

[vanilly-not-found]

"I doubt that somehow..! That smile doesn't help. Neither does the laughing-.. which is likely the point, okay...

I don't know. It's sort of hard to translate into words that are factually correct, when it's moreso how I feel. It's just- how I am!

A near-drowning, of course. ..Who was it that could have been hurt?"

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

you take everything MUCH too seriously if a little laughter and smiling is enough to get you THIS suspicious of someone

“just how i am”. hmmmm, rather INTERESTING reasoning to arrive at “this is the right choice” for, presumably, everyone

it was NOT near…Pure Vanilla got out of the river LONG before “near-drowning” could be a concern

[vanilly-not-found]

"But it's how you did it! It wasn't in a very friendly way. Which I don't need to explain.

Well.. I do think everyone should try to be nice, yes. That would solve so many problems in the world. Actually, what reasonable argument is there against that?

..Pure Vanilla!? You- for a game- was he able to swim? Beforehand, did you know if he could?"

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

i was being SO friendly. : )

who cares about REASON all of a sudden? HA HA HA HA!! it REALLY is NOT like kindness ever got me anywhere before. only going to try again if someone i happen to still like begs me to

HE HE HE HE! oh being able to swim does not make a difference in the river i had him go into! i ALMOST thought he would try to hold on to his precious truth until he drowned.

[vanilly-not-found]

"No, you weren't, you're just trying to annoy me again.

But maybe it can be different now! If you want it to be. ...I'm guessing I'm not one of those someones?

What? I don't understand. You- put him in a river, and was going to let him drown, unless he.. let go of some sort of truth?"

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

i would NEVER TRY to annoy ANYONE! :D

… you most CERTAINLY are NOT. it’s not a particularly long list to start with, and i do NOT intend to add you to it

what don’t you understand? you just summed it up PERFECTLY!

[vanilly-not-found]

"You're doing it right now, and I'm telling you, it isn't working. I am not upset.

.....Figured as much. ..It's probably good that I'm not on that list, I'm a bit concerned about what someone would need to do to actually be liked by you..

What truth did you want him to let go of so badly?"

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

i said i’d never try. never said anything about never succeeding at it :)

… there’s only eiiiiigghhhtttt? people on the list. sort of a variety of things, nothing too horrible

all of it :):):):))

[vanilly-not-found]

He loosely crossed his arms. "You aren't succeeding at it, either.

That's a surprise! That they didn't do too bad of things, I mean.

'All of it'?..... Pure Vanilla Cookie wouldn't do that. Of course he didn't. He knew the value of the truth. It isn't something- he could have just casted aside. He held the Light of Truth, for Witches' sake...!" .

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

oh! i’m not? :)

even more surprising for you would be that one of them is Pure Vanilla Cookie. not the one you used to be, of course, different one

yes yes ALLLL of it! and considering he did NOT drown in yogurt it seems SAFE to assume he did, at least temporarily ABANDON IT. HA HA HA!!

[vanilly-not-found]

"No, you're not. I'm really not annoyed at this point, just- confused, tired maybe?

...Oh..? Is he really that different from me?..

....How could you do such a thing to him..!? Doesn't it bother you at all? The fact that you can even laugh about that-!

I need to leave. White Lily Cookie is waiting for me back at the house. I wouldn't want to worry her more than I have to."

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

heheh! well i guess THAT is an acceptable end result, too!! :)

… hmmmmm … he’s pretty much a normal Pure Vanilla Cookie …

he he he heheheh! i had several reasons, BUUUT they don’t really matter anymore. and no, it does NOT bother me! :)

yes YES go RUNNING back to that infuriating little half cookie, haha!

[vanilly-not-found]

"Of course it is..

Does he know the things you've done? If he doesn't, you should tell him..

That's sick and twisted. ...I wanted to give you a chance at first, I did.. I'm sorry that I can't. Not sorry to you specifically, just in general.

...Actually, I'll stay, and explain to her later why I took so long out here. Wouldn't want to miss out on anymore 'fun' conversations."

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

tee hee!! :):)))))

but of COURSE he does! he WAS the victim to SOME of it, y’know

ohhhhhhh! FINALLY someone who has enough sense to know i have NO CHANCE of “redemption” or WHATEVE shit you people believe in

… hwhaaaaa??????

*don’t know HOW to describe his expression other than “wet cat”. so. he just stares at him like a confused wet cat*

you were just SO insistent on leaving what are you up to?

[vanilly-not-found]

"Well, I suppose that it's his decision if he wants to interact with you, then..

...I didn't say that. I just meant.. okay, I'll admit it- you do make me uncomfortable. The strange things you're talking about. Umm.. that doesn't mean that someone else can't try to help you! But I don't think that someone could be me. If anyone could even do that. Yeah...

You wanted me to go 'running back' to White Lily Cookie so badly, that I suppose I can stay here for longer. I don't know. I'm just being petty, I guess."

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

twas unexptected that he agreed to stay with me again. heheh!

… so delusional with those hopes of yours, just like him in that way … oh well i can tell you for CERTAIN that there is NO ONE who can help me! heheh!

egh. White Lily Cookie is BARELY half a cookie and her other half has done SO MUCH more useful things than she ever could

[vanilly-not-found]

"That is very unexpected. Hm. Why would he do that?

I think the word there is hopeful, not delusional. ....Maybe there is someone out there, and you just haven't met them yet. There is a chance, even if it's a low one.

..Her other half? ...This is another big thing the others have failed to tell me about, isn't it.."

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

i think he got a bad case of the “i can fix him”s last time he stayed here….

… you do NOT understand. there is no CHANCE at ALL. No “hope”…

… PFFFHAHAHAHAHAHHWHEEHHEHHHHHHG!!! THEY DIDN’T TELL YOU ABOUT DARK ENCHANTRESS COOKIE????

[vanilly-not-found]

"Oh. That does make sense.

You don't know that, though! I mean, unless you looked at your own future- but you said yourself that it wasn't always reliable.

............." Yeahhh that was a no

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

… … he’s a weird little guy

i haven’t looked at my future … but … … i have good reason for believing this

*he GRINS much wider than it really looks like he should be able to, once again revealing his oddly sharp teeth*

do you WANT me to tell you about her?

[vanilly-not-found]

"Aren't we all, hah..

Then what are those reasons?"

!!

"..I-.. if.. if it's something I need to know.. Then I guess so...? Although, since it's something to do with White Lily Cookie, she should be the one to tell me.."

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

hahah! good point …

… … … … so … hypothetical question … if someone were to take away half your soul and half your powers, would it be sensible to assume that the part of soul you had left was irreversibly corrupted amd you had no chance of ever getting better?

…

ohhhhh it IS something you need to know. and since she hasn’t told you yet do you really think she’ll tell you now?

[vanilly-not-found]

"Well, hypothetically-.. maybe the soul left could be uncorrupted somehow..? Or reunited with the part that was taken? If taking half of the soul was possible in the first place, ways to fix it probably exist, too. Hypothetically."

..

He took a deep breath. "Fine. No. She... probably won't. Tell me, about Dark Enchantress Cookie.."

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

… i tried getting back the other half of the Soul Jam.. didn’t get it … ohhhhh and it MOST certainly is possible to take away half a soul. it’s also possible to take away the WHOLE THING if you REALLLY want to

…

Dark Enchantress Cookie started the Dark Flour War, devoted to the cause of burning all cookies to ash to avoid their appointed fate of the Witches’ Banquet! she also made nice new bodies for my friends and myself and, most IMPORTANTLY of all, used to be WHITE LILY COOKIE

*why. why does he look so happy about this?*

[vanilly-not-found]

He looked at Shadow Milk's Soul Jam, then back at his own, but didn't comment on it

"What was in the half that was taken from you?

A. War. There- was a war.. and she wanted to crumble everyone.... Except you and some other cookies, for some reason...... but- if she's White Lily Cookie-....!

I'm living with someone who started a WAR!?"

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

half my soul. and half of my power. :))

yes yess there was! ohhh she thinks that the war will go better for her if she has the Beast cookies aiding her. so she gave us shiny new bodies!! :D

HA HA HA HA HA HAVHA HA HAVHAHAHAHAHH!! YES YOU ARE!! HE HE HE HE HE HE HEVHE!

[vanilly-not-found]

"Half of your power makes more sense than half of your soul, how do you split a soul in half..?

Beast Cookies.. you're a Beast Cookie. ...I am speaking to a Beast Cookie. Witches help me this is awful. ..You. Aren't actually going to help her, are you!? Even if she gave you a new body. Since you needed one, apparently.

.....She.... has a lot to explain to me. Do- you think I'm in danger, being near her? ..Has she been hiding this from me so that I don't turn against her and try to prevent this war breaking out again? Oh Witches, are my other friends in on this...?"

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

i … don’t know …

the witches are the ones who didn’t even TRY to help my friends and i when we started to corrupt. they for ABSOLUTELY certain will not help you. hmmmm, i have YET to make a concrete decision either way. on the one hand, i would PREFER staying in my Spire and cause chaos from afar, but on the other she DID make these new bodies…

HEHEHEHEHH YOU’RE ASKING ME!? HAHAHAHAHAHAHHHHHHH! oh ho ho HAHEHEHEHH now THAT is HILARIOUS, a REAL showstopper, let me tell you.

[vanilly-not-found]

"Hm....

So they could have prevented it, but they didn't. ..I hope you decide not to help her. Besides, if she wants to burn everyone- who would you cause chaos towards?

I don't know that I was asking you. Maybe I was. I don't know anymore. I think all of this is way over my head and I hate it. I do know I shouldn't believe a word you're saying.. but at the same time, I'm not sure if I can even trust my friends......"

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

…

i knoowwwwwwww. but it does seem like i should AT LEAST temporarily help her … then again the life force extractor i helped her make MIIGHT have been enough

hmmmm, so, seems you’re whole life, your friends, possibly even YOURSELF, has been a lie? how does that make you feel? any regrets? HAHAHA!

[vanilly-not-found]

"The. What. Please. Please tell me that's not what it sounds like it is!

I did the best with the information I was given, and I'll continue to do so.. I just need to.. reflect, on all of this. Probably talk to the other Ancients about it. ..If you were expecting me to give up like Pure Vanilla Cookie did, you are mistaken."

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

the Life Extractor. it is MOST CERTAINLY exactly what it sounds like.

you need to get a LOT better at gathering information, then! and DEFINITELY talk to those other Ancients.

[vanilly-not-found]

"Why would you give her that. WHY would you GIVE her THAT!?

It's not like I have any sources of information besides the Ancients. And I guess you. ..Neither seem very reliable now."

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

in exchange for the new bodies she made! also the SCREAMS totally made it worth it! :)

*… it is impossible to tell if he’s joking or not*

HA HA HA HA HA HA!! how UTTERLY unfortunate for you!! HE HE HE HE HE! you really should find yourself some more reliable sources

[vanilly-not-found]

"..........

I'm done with you, I'm done with this conversation. No more. Okay?

I don't need sources, it's fine. My friends will explain to me what's gone on."

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

awwww but we were JUST getting to such a FUN TOPIC. :(

i doubt they willlll~!

[vanilly-not-found]

"It isn't fun, it's evil. I'm not talking about death, and war, and dangerous games. Especially since you seem to- enjoy them.

Then I guess I'll have to wait until I get my memories back. Fine by me."

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA!!! how do you know it’s those i take pleasure in and not your discomfort?

that may never happennnnn!!

[vanilly-not-found]

"It doesn't matter which one it is, both reasons are bad.

Yes, it will happen. I know it will, and you can deny that all you want, or call me crazy, but I know."

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

then to be clear … it’s both reasons! HAHA! ohhhhh, there are oh SO many stories i could tell you of the stuff that i have done. alll cookies just LOOOVE a little beastly (HE HE HE HE) entertainment, amirite?

you are SO RIGHT. you have LOST YOUR MIND. HA HA HA HA HA HAHHHHHH!!

[vanilly-not-found]

"You aren't right. And I don't care to hear more stories about how you caused suffering for others.

Actually, it sounds like you're the one who lost their mind, not me. My mind is pretty intact. Ironically."

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

ohhhhhhhhhhhh but i AM right! HA HA HA! you’ll understand someday, i’ll make sure of that! :D

weeelllll losing something implies i HAD it in the first place, so i will HAVE to insist that i did NOT lose my mind!

[vanilly-not-found]

"..Excuse me? How do you plan to make me understand? What, are you going to throw me into a river, too-?

You're right about that. My mistake. .. I wonder what Pure Vanilla Cookie will think about all of this. Sorry to bring him up again, I know it's annoying. I don't- really care, though. So um."

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

the river was VERY effective! also he went in willingly, i never forced anyone, for the record.

welllllllll i could always drag mine here to see his reaction….

[vanilly-not-found]

"I don't buy that someone would choose to do that. No.

......Oh? That-.. would make this conversation worth it...!"

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

ohhhh but he DID!! :)

… yes … just a minute …

*he rips open a portal next to where he floats and just shoves his head inside it to talk to someone on the other side of it for a bit before he pops back out with Pure Vanilla Cookie coming out soon after*

[vanilly-not-found]

"Suree.."

.

.

!

He gasped.

"Pure Vanilla Cookie.....!? Wow! It's... lovely to meet you!" His hands shook slightly

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

tis what happened~

…

oh, hello! Shadow Milk Cookie told me a little about you, it’s lovely to meet you as well

[vanilly-not-found]

"Hello! I never thought I would get this opportunity to speak with you! Well, with one of you, I guess-! ..There's so much I've wanted to say if this ever happened and yet III can't recall what any of it is, hah.."

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

hehe! i’m sure you’ll remember what you wanted to say soon

no, i think he MIIIGHT be a —

Shadow Milk Cookie … please … TRY to behave

…

he’s been tormenting you, hasn’t he?

[vanilly-not-found]

"I'm sure I will!"

.

..

...

"Just a liittle bit.. haha...."

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

*Pure Vanilla glances at Shadow Milk, looking rather disappointed, the other pretends not to notice the glance*

i’m sorry about him. he agreed to try to be better. but i think he only tries around people he likes … i’ll have to talk to him about that later

[vanilly-not-found]

He looked between them

"Oh, no! No, there's no need to apologize. Though, a talk would probably be for the best. ..He told me so many- strange things.."

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

he is a very peculiar cookie, so i have no doubt he has said some ... odd things. ... it also seems very likely that it was said with the sole purpose of tormenting you, which does require an apology, and i know he won't give one

[vanilly-not-found]

"Well, thank you, that's very kind. ...Though, is he always like this?"

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

*Shadow Milk is just. glaring between these two, very annoyed at the direction this conversation is heading*

he reminds me a lot of a sheep separated from its flock for too long, scared and lonely and not knowing how to react to being close to others again apart from lashing out against them. he is dangerous, there is no doubt about that, but i have no doubt that given enough time, he could get better.

I am NOT one of your sheep, Nilly

...

... ... baaaa :)

*Shadow Milk GLARES at him, very annoyed*

... ... ... ... baaa

[vanilly-not-found]

"I- I didn't think of it like that! Wow.. I think I understand now."

...

"HAHAHAHAHA-!"

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

i am glad to have helped in some way :)

*Shadow Milk is glaring back at Vanilla Paste now*

IT WASN'T FUNNY

[vanilly-not-found]

"You certainly have!

...Haha.....!

You're right! You're right! .. Ha.."

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

IF YOU DIDN’T THINK IT WAS FUNNY WHY ARE YOU STILL LAUGHING?????

shadow milk, calm down

[vanilly-not-found]

"I couldn't help itt! I stopped now, see?"

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

OF COURSE YOU COULD HELP IT. IT IS QUITE EASY TO HELP WHEN YOU START LAUGHING.

*Pure Vanilla just. gently bonks Shadow Milk on his head, which surprised the other into going quiet and turning to stare at him*

calm down, screaming at people accomplishes nothing. he’s not laughing at you anymore

[vanilly-not-found]

"Not for me, sometimes! It was more the surprise of it that set me off, anyway."

..He was shocked that actually did anything

"Exactly!"

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

whaaat? never seen friends bleating at each other before~?

[vanilly-not-found]

"No, actually. I had not!"

[vanilly-not-found]

( for shadowmilk )

You could sense two being hurry into your domain one slowly and weakly walking in the other confidently and with cruel intent coming in

Oh, great. A disturbance.

He began to watch from the shadows, mildly curious.

[askdarkangelcookieandothers]

You would see a weak injured dark Angel she was shivering she could barely move her wings looked completely broken she was covered in wounds and bruises and cuts , her hair looked ragged and torn apart with what looked to be injuries from bad hits to the head . She was practically limping which was why her presence was so slow barely keeping balance her legs looked partially broken she was now coughing attempting to catch her breath shaking and shivering scared she was then grabbed by the other presence who was clearly an assassin who decided they would have fun toying with her for maybe at least 5 or 6 more hours they picked her up and slammed her against a tree she was able to find strength and hide behind some trees where she couldn’t be got guarding herself with her broken arms and broken wings making little adorable sqeauks in pain

[vanilly-not-found]

He appeared right in front of the assassin.

"Hellooo! Welllcomeee! And whooo might-a youuu be?"

[vanilly-not-found]

( for shadowmilk )

You could sense two being hurry into your domain one slowly and weakly walking in the other confidently and with cruel intent coming in

Oh, great. A disturbance.

He began to watch from the shadows, mildly curious.

[vanilly-not-found]

hello!! i happen to know who you used to be QUITE well! if you have any questions your friends have not answered yet i could help :)

@master-of-puppets-and-shadows

"You do? I'm.. afraid I'm not sure who I'm speaking with, exactly, but.. I do appreciate the kind offer!"

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

of course!! :)

oh yes, introductions are QUITE important! i am Shadow Milk Cookie!

[vanilly-not-found]

"It's nice to meet you, Shadow Milk Cookie! Oh, that name does sound familiar! I'm- well, I suppose you already know, don't you..."

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

it is nice to meet you again!! i would CERTAINLY hope my name sounds familiar, you DID temporarily live with me for a bit…

[vanilly-not-found]

"I- did....? I'm sorry, my friends never told me about that..."

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

HAHAH! what an INTERESTING little detail for them to CONVENIENTLY forget to tell you about!! yes! you did! we used to play chess together fairly often. :)

[vanilly-not-found]

"We played chess? It looks like a bit of a complicated game! ...Could you teach me how to play again?"

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

but of COURSE we did! oh i would be COMPLETELY willing to teach you again!

[vanilly-not-found]

"Thank you, haha! I really do learn something new about myself every day.."

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

you’re welcome!! heh heh! well i am QUITE PLEASED to have HELPED you learn more, Silly Vanilly :)

[vanilly-not-found]

"Hahaha-! 'Silly Vanilly?' Is that an actual thing you've called me before??"

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

ha ha ha ha!! yes it is! oh we had SUCH fun together, Nilly! even if those kids you had with you were INFURIATING to deal with

[vanilly-not-found]

"Oh, I think you mean-.. what was his name again... Ginger-something? Gingerbright, maybe. I thought he was pretty nice- did he do something to prove otherwise..?"

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

HAH! yes, Gingerbrave and his little entourage traveled with you … and kept INTERFERING with my PLANS, infuriating little BRATS. but that is HARDLY important now~! :)

[vanilly-not-found]

"Gingerbrave, yes that was it-!.. Oh. That's, hm... are you sure they meant to interfere? Maybe there was some sort of misunderstanding..

Anyway! I was just on my way to the market. Would you like to join me?"

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

oh there was EVERY intention of interfering, him and his friends made that ABUNDANTLY clear

hahah! that does sound QUITE fun! sure, i’ll join you :)

[vanilly-not-found]

"I'll try to talk to them later, and see what they have to say about it..

Lovely, let's go then!" He smiled

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

hah! they’ll claim they “had to” and were “saving you from me” … overdramatic PESTS

*he smiles back at him*

[vanilly-not-found]

"'Saving?' Haha! I wouldn't have needed saving! Perhaps they had good intentions, but were just a bit.. misguided?"

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

yes! it was QUITE silly of them! i had NO intention to cause any harm! all we did was play some games and they made SUCH a big deal out of it. and their intentions did nothing to change the fact that their actions were annoying

[vanilly-not-found]

"I'm sorry they did that...! I'll explain things to them, and make sure it doesn't happen again! Okay?"

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

oh that would be AWFULLY NICE of you, Nilly! i would GREATLY appreciate it :)

[vanilly-not-found]

"Hmmm, did I have a nickname for you in return? And, of course, I'm happy to help!"

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

hmmmm. you weren’t much for nicknames … of course you are, always so compassionate

[vanilly-not-found]

"..That does make sense, now that I think about it.. Yes, I do my best to keep that up! I've heard it was one of my defining characteristics, really!"

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

… i suppose it does! haha! :)

oh it REALLY is! sometimes gets a bit annoying about it. ANYWAY! i am oh so GLAD you have such WONDERFUL friends who have been helping you remember so much …

[vanilly-not-found]

"Haha, yes! I.. have no idea where I would be right now, without them to guide me.... I do wish they had told me about you, but I understand that this whole situation is a bit strange in and of itself!"

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

if i was one to guess i would say a lonely amnesiac wandering the country with no hope of EVER remembering a THING about who you were. oh it’s probably for the best, i DOUBT i have the BEST reputation among your friends, i have done some … not great things … in the past

[vanilly-not-found]

"Oh, that's.. a little bleak. I like to think that maybe someone kind would've given me a place to live, food, a job, even.... well, there's no need to linger on that, thankfully!

Really? Ah- may I ask what sort of things? If you feel comfortable discussing it, that is."

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

*he laughs for … WAY too long at that comment*

cookies are not NEARLY as kind as you like to think they are~! what a silly, naive, belief you have, such a silly silly cookie, Silly Vanilly! they would have turned their backs on the strange cookie wandering around talking nonsense about not remembering anything about who he is. paranoia, suspicion, and selfishness are MUCH more common motives than compassion

… yes! … … i tried to fight the witches for one thing

[vanilly-not-found]

He did look a bit upset at that

"Maybe not all cookies would be so compassionate, that is true- but surely, somewhere on Crispia, there would have been someone to lend me aid. I don't think that's a naive, or silly thought to have. Why- really, if you think about it- isn't that what happened? My friends cared enough to find me when I was gone for so long! And I think they would have helped me, even if they hadn't known me before! They're good cookies.

...The- the witches!? That's-..!"

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

oh there probably are other foolish cookies out there who would have ignored the potential danger of allowing a strange cookie into their home, but almost certainly to make themselves look like a selfless little saint! friends helping friends is a special case, really. almost everyone else has ulterior motives when it comes to acts of kindness

yes, the Witches. it did NOT go well for my friends and I, but in my defense those fiends deserved it

[vanilly-not-found]

"You don't think very well of others, do you? I mean I'm sure there is a reason for that, but I really, really doubt that the majority of cookies are how you describe! If they were, there would be hardly any reason to give back to communities, to- to help one another..

I can imagine!"

...

"I guess I can't really imagine, on second thought, um... I'm sorry that it didn't go well?"

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

i’m only telling the truth, my boy. doubt it all you want but it will NEVER change that fact. cookies use other cookies for their own gain and no other reason apart from in VERY special circumstances. tis a harsh truth to swallow, but isn’t it better than suffering under a false hope of selflessness that will never exist?

…

you don’t sound particularly sorry, Vanilla Paste Cookie. but that IS understandable, i suppose. not every day you meet someone who says they’ve tried to fight against the “gods”

[vanilly-not-found]

"I'm sorry, I- thought you said you knew who I was, that we lived together-? I don't think Pure Vanilla would agree with what you're saying, and neither do I! It simply isn't true. At least to me. Please respect my thoughts on it.

...Well.. yes, it is sort of hard to take in! I don't really know what else to say about that..."

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

i know almost EVERYTHING there is to know about Pure Vanilla Cookie. and we did live together for a bit. oh yes the both of you have always been such silly cookies, believing in a world where that is NOT the truth. hahah. so your thoughts on this deserve respect while mine get thrown away as lies, hmmm?

… fair enough …

[vanilly-not-found]

He was quiet for awhile .....

"No. You... you do have a point. Maybe I am being a bit silly not to at least.. consider what you're saying on the matter. It's... just... hard to hear, with who I'm supposed to be, and how he felt about that, but I'm not trying to call you a liar. Really, you might be correct! But it's not my place to disagree with Pure Vanilla Cookie, you know..?

....At least you're still alive and well after such a fight!"

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

*he grins at him, revealing sharp teeth*

HA HA HA HA HA HA!! that you are, that you are! but with how you’re “supposed to be” i can CERTAINLY see how you MIGHT have got the idea i was lying about it. though i must say, i am EVER so curious, do you WANT to go back to who you were? or do you want to be your own individual?

… … well. well i am well. hahah. … it … was NOT much of a fight. i think all we managed to accomplish was bite one of them

[vanilly-not-found]

He flinched back, startled by his sharp teeth

"...All- that I want, is to be who I was again. And I will be. It will happen, I know it will. Until then, I'm just.. biding my time. ...When that time comes- think of the parades. The feasts! Oh, it will be spectacular...!

.....More than I would be able to do, more likely than not, hah.."

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

heheheh! awful lot of repetition for something you’re so SURE about. makes it seem more like you’re trying to convince yourself it’s what you want. hahah! y’know what? you could PROBABLY convince them to have big feasts and parades WITHOUT actually being who you were

… … huh … that is. a good point, actually

[vanilly-not-found]

"Pardon-? I'm- very certain it's what I want, actually! It's about the only thing I've been sure of this entire time. And yes, I could probably start a parade or festival or- whatever if I really wanted to, but right now, there's nothing to celebrate. The return of Pure Vanilla Cookie is sure to be a HUGE celebration!"

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA!! but SHOULD you want that? really, SHOULD you? is it SERIOUSLY in YOUR BEST INTEREST to return to being THAT overly compassionate cookie? whatever identity you have carved for yourself up until now would be completely and irrevecably DESTROYED by that situation. HE HE HE HE HE HE HE! oh trust me on this, as someone who knows the guy better than his half-baked, halfacookie friends, his return does not warrant a “huge celebration”

[vanilly-not-found]

"What awful things to say to me! I really AM starting to think you never knew Pure Vanilla Cookie. And if you did, you CERTAINLY weren't his FRIEND! I'm very HONORED that I was him, and I hope I am again as soon as possible! You- you're acting as though I haven't thought about what will happen to me, but believe me, I have. And I accepted from the beginning that I wouldn't be here forever, and that's okay, because sure, I might make a few new friends who will miss me- he has an entire kingdom's worth, and probably even more than that! He has done more for Earthbread than you and I ever will, and I hope when he's back that he remembers this conversation, because maybe he could teach you some RESPECT."

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

ohhhhhh, so you ARE capable of anger! how very INTRIGUING! all i’m doing is telling you the TRUTH, though~! i can HARDLY be blamed for how HARSH it is! hmmmmm, did i ever say he was my “friend”? sure, he OFFERED it once, and SURE i DID invite him back to live with me again. an invitation he accepted, i should note. but i’m getting a LITTLE off topic there. you are SERIOUSLY wanting to ABANDON everything you have made of yourself for THAT old fool!? ever heard that poem about people without enemies? the fool never did a THING with his life. HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA!! OHHHHH you surely must be JESTING, you silly cookie, i must say you REALLY should leave THAT to the professionals. i wrote EVERY book of knowledge there is on this world and started the Blueberry Yogurt Academy. i have done SO MUCH MORE than he could ever hope to accomplish

[vanilly-not-found]

"All of this is hurting my head, and now I'm more convinced than ever that you're a liar. Starting the Blueberry Yogurt Academy.. at least has a chance of being true. 'Every book of knowledge'? That's impossible! ....Hah.. haha-... sorry, it's just.. if Pure Vanilla Cookie really did accept the invitation from you, perhaps you're right to call him a fool. He did so much good, and you can't even acknowledge that. I don't like being angry at someone, I don't, but you're making it so difficult right now.

..No. No, I'm not going to be angry anymore. That's what you were looking for, isn't it? A reaction from me? Well, I only wish that you leave me alone, from now on. We- can go our separate ways, and it will allll be fine.."

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

HA HA HA HA HA HA! oh it did take oh so LONG to write them, and some of them i dictated. MOST of them i used pseudonyms for. so if you’ve ever read a book by Blueberry Yogurt Cookie, Blueberry Milk Cookie, Lady in Azure, or the Fount of Knowledge *he says that last title more like it’s an insult than a name* than you have read something by ME! heh. heheheheh! i only acknowledge what actually happened~! and the biggest thing he accomplished was to STEAL FROM ME!

ohhh i am not LOOKING for anything~! i ONLY wanted to have a nice chat with someone! :)

[vanilly-not-found]

"....I can't say that I know those names, but that might just be on me. III don't read very high-level books. But what I do know is that Pure Vanilla Cookie was no thief! Stealing would be going against- everything he believed in, really! I know he wouldn't do that. You really think you can trick me, huh? Haha-! No!" So proud of himself

"As if! I, am being targeted, and I have been since the start of this conversation. I can see through it all, now!"

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

HAH! well THAT explains why you’re so foolish! read a book sometime, you’d enjoy it. i’m surprised that infuriating PEST White Lily Cookie never told you that. HA HA HA HA! NOT A THIEF? SERIOUSLY? NOT. A THIEF? HE HE HE HE! then where did he get that Soul Jam you wear? like it EVER could have belonged to YOU! or him while we’re on THAT topic

oho! you think you’re SOOOOO clever, hmmm? it’s sorta pitiful, really.

buuuut it doesn’t really matter in the grand scheme of things, give it a few eons and every cookie will forget your name, doesn’t matter how much you do~! well unless you do something beastly, heh!, that is

[vanilly-not-found]

"I do read books! They may not be as advanced as yours, but that doesn't make me foolish! I.. didn't retain a lot of knowledge from Pure Vanilla Cookie. ..First him, then Gingerbrave- now White Lily Cookie? Do you have something against everyone I know and care about?

......The Soul Jam was earned by Pure Vanilla Cookie, from the Witches. That's all I know. I wasn't told a thing about him being a thief, and I still refuse to believe it!

I'm pitiful? You are the one that turned this nice conversatio- I need to calm down. This.. isn't worth getting so riled up about...

I don't mind if they forget my name, it isn't like I've done something that should be remembered. But.. while my friends and Pure Vanilla Cookie are remembered, it will be in a good light! Even if they're forgotten about one day, that's okay, because they were thought of fondly before that. Being known for something 'beastly..' maybe you'll be remembered longer, but is it even worth it if everyone thinks you were a terrible, good-for-nothing cookie?"

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

hmmm, what books do you read? … uhh, well the cheesey one is pretty funny, the drunkard seems fun, and the other one … sorta want to try to make him laugh to see if he’s actually serious about the whole “doesn’t know how to laugh” thing. and White Lily Cookie. she’s the sort of cookie i WOULD have liked. IIIIF she hadn’t been one of the ones trying to SEAL me back into that ACCURSED TREE.

oh, of course. the witches steal from us and actually bother testing our “replacements” … … … ANYWAY! does NOT change the fact that he has HALF OF SOMETHING THAT BELONGS TO ME

*he leans forward slightly, hands clasped behind his back and head tilted incredibly far to one side*

i’m the one who ruined this conversation? heh!! wow, way to shift the blame there, mister “i can only talk about how WONDERFUL Pure Vanilla Cookie was” :D

… that was more a thinly veiled complaint about cookie’s strange fascination with truly monstrous deeds. see, i could have a thousand lectures in front of a hundred schools teaching the importance of eating vegetables to the local children, OR i could kidnap one of the kids from that class for NOT eating their vegetables and then the story of THAT act will be passed down from generation to generation amd those children are more likely to eat their vegetables. is this making any sense to you or do i need to explain it more?

[vanilly-not-found]

"You- don't need to know about my reading interests! ..Wait, seal you into a tree? You just keep saying things that make NO sense...

If the Witches stole it from you, then how is that Pure Vanilla Cookie's fault? He proved himself to be deserving of it! Did you?"

..

"And you keep talking about how he isn't! I'm not going to just- let you do that! If I can help it, which I can't, really, but.. I can try!

......I know what you're trying to say, and I know how I feel about it..... but I can't think of a good counter-argument. Um. I mean.. your example isn't wrong. But maybe the lectures could have been better, so that the kids were inspired to eat their vegetables, instead of needing to be threatened..?" Not so proud of himself now, hm?

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

sure i don't NEED to, but i can still be CURIOUS, hmm? hahah! did she "forget" to mention ANYTHING about Beast Yeast to you? i think you may need to have a little chat with White Lily Cookie after this

counterpoint: i was baked for the SOLE PURPOSE of wielding the Soul Jam's FULL POWER, so how could i NOT be deserving of it?

...

i'm only still talking about how he isn't because you won't stop talking about how he is~!

HAH! oh i didn't just THREATEN them, i actually kidnapped MULTIPLE children because of this. it has proven itself to be INCREDIBLY effective so far. far more effective than any of my lessons have ever been.

[vanilly-not-found]

"I'm not going to tell you about that. Um. I know that White Lily Cookie's kingdom is in Beast Yeast.. that's really it. ..But she must have a reason for not telling me certain things, and that's okay!

Did you.. fulfill that purpose, though?

Well-!......

I probably did go on about him too much, didn't I? Witches, I should really stop doing that.. although you could have dropped the subject, instead of arguing back with me and being negative.

WHAT?! That's- no! Are- they- okay now..?"

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

why not? … hmmm. so you don’t know a THING about ANYTHING that happened there to you and your friends? HE HE HE HE! she took this as an opportunity to hide some … “unpleasant” memories from you, didn’t she?

i served that purpose for longer than you OR Pure Vanilla Cookie have been alive. i was baked when Earthbread itself was still cooling from the oven, after all. HA HA HA HA! :)

you PROBABLY should. maybe get some opinions of your own for once. this amnesia is a WONDERFUL opportunity for you, i must say. weeellll. i could have dropped it. but that wouldn’t have been as fun

yeah yeah i returned them to their parents after a couple of hours. they’re FINE

[vanilly-not-found]

"Okay, I admit that they're- a bit low-level. But I still enjoy them! ..If she did, there must have been a reason for it. She'll tell me when I'm ready.

Even so- something must have happened to get some of your power taken. It's liiike... if an employee is really good and hard-working for a few years, but then they start slacking. Their employer would probably fire them regardless of if they did a good job before.

These are my own opinions! .....When the other Ancients first found me, they gave me the option to- to- not, stay here. They weren't happy to, of course, but they still told me that I could leave, if I wanted to. But I didn't want to, and I still don't.

That's.. good, I suppose? ..It must have been a frightening experience for them.."

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

… if you tell me you’ve been reading picture books i don’t think i’ll ever stop laughing at you. what if she decides you’ll never be ready and NEVER tells you all of your memories? :)

first off, ALL i did was start asking questions, which APPARENTLY they don’t like their puppets doing. secondly, employees are chosen from a group of other applicants for being the best suited choice for the job, NOT BAKED WITH NO OTHER PURPOSE IN THEIR LIFE

how nice of them. really my … colleagues. would never do such a thing for each other.

it would not have had the same effect if they weren’t scared. but i never did anything to cause permanent harm to them

[vanilly-not-found]

"No, no! Not that low-level, Witches no! And she doesn't have to tell me. I'll know everything, once I get my memories back.

Maybe that wasn't the best analogy. I don't know why I'm talking about this, I wasn't there, I know practically nothing about the Witches-..... May I ask- what was your purpose? Was it only to hold the Soul Jam?

..Oh? I'm.. sorry. About that.

I still don't agree with such a method, of course, but I am glad that they weren't harmed too badly."

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

aha! so you’ve moved on to learning sentences books, i see. … fair enough

… … … i was given the Soul Jam almost immediately out of the oven … it gave me near infinite knowledge. i could see the past, present, and future of any cookie who came to me. i could answer any question, no matter the subject or difficulty. THAT was my purpose.

… HA HA HA! WHY ARE YOU SORRY? you’ve never met them, you never had anything to do with them.

i tend to AVOID hurting children unless they’re INSUFFERABLY infuriating

[vanilly-not-found]

"I woke up still able to read, you know! And, maybe if I wanted to I could try reading studies, or essays.. but they aren't very interesting to me, honestly.

...That... sounds... incredible! But- very demanding."

His eyes widened. "Wait, does that mean- could you see this conversation was going to happen? Oh! Can you see my future? Will I ever get my memories back?

Even so, I can still be sorry that they aren't more.. supportive.

So- you have hurt children before....?"

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

HAHAHAHAH! i’m only teasing you about this. i know you can read :)

… it was.

i did not look at my own future much, i only ever saw glimpses, that i failed to avoid. hmmmm, it isn’t QUITE as reliable as it used to be…but i could try looking if you want me to

… … hahahah. and there you go. being SO compassionate again …

i don’t think it should count if they were prevented from hitting the ground, or if the damage was TECHNICALLY caused by a game piece

[vanilly-not-found]

"Oh!.. I couldn't really tell, haha..

No, no, don't look. I think- I would rather not know my future, on second thought. I'm certain of the answer, anyway, looking isn't necessary..!

.....I- would you rather I not be?

..A game piece? How could a game piece damage someone?"

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

i’ll take THAT as a compliment to my acting skills! :)

alright! i won’t look. well i won’t look and then tell you what i see

i would MUCH rather you not be

to be fair the children were about the same size as this game piece and it WAS attacking them

[vanilly-not-found]

"I suppose it is. ..How much of this conversation was an act, exactly?

No, please, don't look at all! If I don't know, then I don't think you should, either. Not that I could stop you, probably- but still..

Let me get this straight- you don't want me to be nice to you-?

Those were either very small children or very large game pieces..."

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

why THANK you!! HA HA HA HA! ohhhh now THAT is something for me to know and you to question for the rest of eternity :)

you are ABSOLUTELY right! you cannot stop me! from doing anything, really, bit ESPECIALLY this

nope! i do NOT want that! i know your friendliness isn’t genuine~!

twas magically created illusions! and shrunk down children.

[vanilly-not-found]

He sighed. "Okay then.

I would genuinely appreciate it if you didn't, though. Besides, you said it isn't as reliable as it used to be. ...Um, question: if you saw something really, really bad in my future- would you want to tell me? I'm not asking you to. I'm just curious what you would do..

......It is genuine. If it weren't, it would have gone away with my memories. Although- it might have diminished a bit. I got so angry earlier! That isn't meant to happen..!

Oh my. Very.... interesting?"

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

…

you would have NO way of knowing i did it unless i was RIGHT in front of you when i did. hmmmmm, it depends on whether or not telling you would have funnier consequences than NOT telling you

HA HA HA HA HA! it seems more like you act nice because that’s what you think Pure Vanilla Cookie was like…

ah. so it doesn’t sound familiar? doesn’t feel like something you should remember? you were there, you know. you saw it happen

[vanilly-not-found]

"...I should expect answers like that, really..

And if I wasn't nice, why would I care what he was like? How I present myself? Why would I eat when I should, and sleep when I should, and do whatever I'm supposed to do, so that he can come back, and not have lost- everything? I.. do have to work to be nicer, sometimes. But not often. Probably with you, mostly. Hm."

.......

"I'm getting the feeling that there was more to it all than just 'I lived with you for a bit.'"

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

you REALLY should

i don’t get why you CARE about any of that stuff in the FIRST PLACE. it makes NO SENSE at all. so those are all MARVELOUS questions, WHY DO YOU CARE?

…

hmmmmm yeah i THINK that was about it. APART from some playing games and suchlike

[vanilly-not-found]

"I know. I don't want to assume you'll always say something I don't like to hear, but I doubt it'll stop happening any time soon.

Well, I care because it's the right thing to do, and I want to do it! It.. it makes me feel good, I guess. Not that that's the only reason. I just mean.. I want to be a nice cookie, and make others happy. There isn't much of a motive behind it."

..

"Let me guess, did one of the 'games' involve- I don't know, hitting someone over the head, or something?"

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA!! you must believe me i do NOT make a habit of saying stuff you don’t approve of :)

*he does…*

ohhhh? and why is it the right thing to do? because you think it’s nice?

no, actually. the ONLY game that MAY have caused brain damage was the Yogurt River, but i do not believe he got close enough to drowning for that to be an issue

[vanilly-not-found]

"I doubt that somehow..! That smile doesn't help. Neither does the laughing-.. which is likely the point, okay...

I don't know. It's sort of hard to translate into words that are factually correct, when it's moreso how I feel. It's just- how I am!

A near-drowning, of course. ..Who was it that could have been hurt?"

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

you take everything MUCH too seriously if a little laughter and smiling is enough to get you THIS suspicious of someone

“just how i am”. hmmmm, rather INTERESTING reasoning to arrive at “this is the right choice” for, presumably, everyone

it was NOT near…Pure Vanilla got out of the river LONG before “near-drowning” could be a concern

[vanilly-not-found]

"But it's how you did it! It wasn't in a very friendly way. Which I don't need to explain.

Well.. I do think everyone should try to be nice, yes. That would solve so many problems in the world. Actually, what reasonable argument is there against that?

..Pure Vanilla!? You- for a game- was he able to swim? Beforehand, did you know if he could?"

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

i was being SO friendly. : )

who cares about REASON all of a sudden? HA HA HA HA!! it REALLY is NOT like kindness ever got me anywhere before. only going to try again if someone i happen to still like begs me to

HE HE HE HE! oh being able to swim does not make a difference in the river i had him go into! i ALMOST thought he would try to hold on to his precious truth until he drowned.

[vanilly-not-found]

"No, you weren't, you're just trying to annoy me again.

But maybe it can be different now! If you want it to be. ...I'm guessing I'm not one of those someones?

What? I don't understand. You- put him in a river, and was going to let him drown, unless he.. let go of some sort of truth?"

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

i would NEVER TRY to annoy ANYONE! :D

… you most CERTAINLY are NOT. it’s not a particularly long list to start with, and i do NOT intend to add you to it

what don’t you understand? you just summed it up PERFECTLY!

[vanilly-not-found]

"You're doing it right now, and I'm telling you, it isn't working. I am not upset.

.....Figured as much. ..It's probably good that I'm not on that list, I'm a bit concerned about what someone would need to do to actually be liked by you..

What truth did you want him to let go of so badly?"

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

i said i’d never try. never said anything about never succeeding at it :)

… there’s only eiiiiigghhhtttt? people on the list. sort of a variety of things, nothing too horrible

all of it :):):):))

[vanilly-not-found]

He loosely crossed his arms. "You aren't succeeding at it, either.

That's a surprise! That they didn't do too bad of things, I mean.

'All of it'?..... Pure Vanilla Cookie wouldn't do that. Of course he didn't. He knew the value of the truth. It isn't something- he could have just casted aside. He held the Light of Truth, for Witches' sake...!" .

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

oh! i’m not? :)

even more surprising for you would be that one of them is Pure Vanilla Cookie. not the one you used to be, of course, different one

yes yes ALLLL of it! and considering he did NOT drown in yogurt it seems SAFE to assume he did, at least temporarily ABANDON IT. HA HA HA!!

[vanilly-not-found]

"No, you're not. I'm really not annoyed at this point, just- confused, tired maybe?

...Oh..? Is he really that different from me?..

....How could you do such a thing to him..!? Doesn't it bother you at all? The fact that you can even laugh about that-!

I need to leave. White Lily Cookie is waiting for me back at the house. I wouldn't want to worry her more than I have to."

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

heheh! well i guess THAT is an acceptable end result, too!! :)

… hmmmmm … he’s pretty much a normal Pure Vanilla Cookie …

he he he heheheh! i had several reasons, BUUUT they don’t really matter anymore. and no, it does NOT bother me! :)

yes YES go RUNNING back to that infuriating little half cookie, haha!

[vanilly-not-found]

"Of course it is..

Does he know the things you've done? If he doesn't, you should tell him..

That's sick and twisted. ...I wanted to give you a chance at first, I did.. I'm sorry that I can't. Not sorry to you specifically, just in general.

...Actually, I'll stay, and explain to her later why I took so long out here. Wouldn't want to miss out on anymore 'fun' conversations."

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

tee hee!! :):)))))

but of COURSE he does! he WAS the victim to SOME of it, y’know

ohhhhhhh! FINALLY someone who has enough sense to know i have NO CHANCE of “redemption” or WHATEVE shit you people believe in

… hwhaaaaa??????

*don’t know HOW to describe his expression other than “wet cat”. so. he just stares at him like a confused wet cat*

you were just SO insistent on leaving what are you up to?

[vanilly-not-found]

"Well, I suppose that it's his decision if he wants to interact with you, then..

...I didn't say that. I just meant.. okay, I'll admit it- you do make me uncomfortable. The strange things you're talking about. Umm.. that doesn't mean that someone else can't try to help you! But I don't think that someone could be me. If anyone could even do that. Yeah...

You wanted me to go 'running back' to White Lily Cookie so badly, that I suppose I can stay here for longer. I don't know. I'm just being petty, I guess."

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

twas unexptected that he agreed to stay with me again. heheh!

… so delusional with those hopes of yours, just like him in that way … oh well i can tell you for CERTAIN that there is NO ONE who can help me! heheh!

egh. White Lily Cookie is BARELY half a cookie and her other half has done SO MUCH more useful things than she ever could

[vanilly-not-found]

"That is very unexpected. Hm. Why would he do that?

I think the word there is hopeful, not delusional. ....Maybe there is someone out there, and you just haven't met them yet. There is a chance, even if it's a low one.

..Her other half? ...This is another big thing the others have failed to tell me about, isn't it.."

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

i think he got a bad case of the “i can fix him”s last time he stayed here….

… you do NOT understand. there is no CHANCE at ALL. No “hope”…

… PFFFHAHAHAHAHAHHWHEEHHEHHHHHHG!!! THEY DIDN’T TELL YOU ABOUT DARK ENCHANTRESS COOKIE????

[vanilly-not-found]

"Oh. That does make sense.

You don't know that, though! I mean, unless you looked at your own future- but you said yourself that it wasn't always reliable.

............." Yeahhh that was a no

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

… … he’s a weird little guy

i haven’t looked at my future … but … … i have good reason for believing this

*he GRINS much wider than it really looks like he should be able to, once again revealing his oddly sharp teeth*

do you WANT me to tell you about her?

[vanilly-not-found]

"Aren't we all, hah..

Then what are those reasons?"

!!

"..I-.. if.. if it's something I need to know.. Then I guess so...? Although, since it's something to do with White Lily Cookie, she should be the one to tell me.."

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

hahah! good point …

… … … … so … hypothetical question … if someone were to take away half your soul and half your powers, would it be sensible to assume that the part of soul you had left was irreversibly corrupted amd you had no chance of ever getting better?

…

ohhhhh it IS something you need to know. and since she hasn’t told you yet do you really think she’ll tell you now?

[vanilly-not-found]

"Well, hypothetically-.. maybe the soul left could be uncorrupted somehow..? Or reunited with the part that was taken? If taking half of the soul was possible in the first place, ways to fix it probably exist, too. Hypothetically."

..

He took a deep breath. "Fine. No. She... probably won't. Tell me, about Dark Enchantress Cookie.."

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

… i tried getting back the other half of the Soul Jam.. didn’t get it … ohhhhh and it MOST certainly is possible to take away half a soul. it’s also possible to take away the WHOLE THING if you REALLLY want to

…

Dark Enchantress Cookie started the Dark Flour War, devoted to the cause of burning all cookies to ash to avoid their appointed fate of the Witches’ Banquet! she also made nice new bodies for my friends and myself and, most IMPORTANTLY of all, used to be WHITE LILY COOKIE

*why. why does he look so happy about this?*

[vanilly-not-found]

He looked at Shadow Milk's Soul Jam, then back at his own, but didn't comment on it

"What was in the half that was taken from you?

A. War. There- was a war.. and she wanted to crumble everyone.... Except you and some other cookies, for some reason...... but- if she's White Lily Cookie-....!

I'm living with someone who started a WAR!?"

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

half my soul. and half of my power. :))

yes yess there was! ohhh she thinks that the war will go better for her if she has the Beast cookies aiding her. so she gave us shiny new bodies!! :D

HA HA HA HA HA HAVHA HA HAVHAHAHAHAHH!! YES YOU ARE!! HE HE HE HE HE HE HEVHE!

[vanilly-not-found]

"Half of your power makes more sense than half of your soul, how do you split a soul in half..?

Beast Cookies.. you're a Beast Cookie. ...I am speaking to a Beast Cookie. Witches help me this is awful. ..You. Aren't actually going to help her, are you!? Even if she gave you a new body. Since you needed one, apparently.

.....She.... has a lot to explain to me. Do- you think I'm in danger, being near her? ..Has she been hiding this from me so that I don't turn against her and try to prevent this war breaking out again? Oh Witches, are my other friends in on this...?"

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

i … don’t know …

the witches are the ones who didn’t even TRY to help my friends and i when we started to corrupt. they for ABSOLUTELY certain will not help you. hmmmm, i have YET to make a concrete decision either way. on the one hand, i would PREFER staying in my Spire and cause chaos from afar, but on the other she DID make these new bodies…

HEHEHEHEHH YOU’RE ASKING ME!? HAHAHAHAHAHAHHHHHHH! oh ho ho HAHEHEHEHH now THAT is HILARIOUS, a REAL showstopper, let me tell you.

[vanilly-not-found]

"Hm....

So they could have prevented it, but they didn't. ..I hope you decide not to help her. Besides, if she wants to burn everyone- who would you cause chaos towards?

I don't know that I was asking you. Maybe I was. I don't know anymore. I think all of this is way over my head and I hate it. I do know I shouldn't believe a word you're saying.. but at the same time, I'm not sure if I can even trust my friends......"

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

…

i knoowwwwwwww. but it does seem like i should AT LEAST temporarily help her … then again the life force extractor i helped her make MIIGHT have been enough

hmmmm, so, seems you’re whole life, your friends, possibly even YOURSELF, has been a lie? how does that make you feel? any regrets? HAHAHA!

[vanilly-not-found]

"The. What. Please. Please tell me that's not what it sounds like it is!

I did the best with the information I was given, and I'll continue to do so.. I just need to.. reflect, on all of this. Probably talk to the other Ancients about it. ..If you were expecting me to give up like Pure Vanilla Cookie did, you are mistaken."

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

the Life Extractor. it is MOST CERTAINLY exactly what it sounds like.

you need to get a LOT better at gathering information, then! and DEFINITELY talk to those other Ancients.

[vanilly-not-found]

"Why would you give her that. WHY would you GIVE her THAT!?

It's not like I have any sources of information besides the Ancients. And I guess you. ..Neither seem very reliable now."

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

in exchange for the new bodies she made! also the SCREAMS totally made it worth it! :)

*… it is impossible to tell if he’s joking or not*

HA HA HA HA HA HA!! how UTTERLY unfortunate for you!! HE HE HE HE HE! you really should find yourself some more reliable sources

[vanilly-not-found]

"..........

I'm done with you, I'm done with this conversation. No more. Okay?

I don't need sources, it's fine. My friends will explain to me what's gone on."

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

awwww but we were JUST getting to such a FUN TOPIC. :(

i doubt they willlll~!

[vanilly-not-found]

"It isn't fun, it's evil. I'm not talking about death, and war, and dangerous games. Especially since you seem to- enjoy them.

Then I guess I'll have to wait until I get my memories back. Fine by me."

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA!!! how do you know it’s those i take pleasure in and not your discomfort?

that may never happennnnn!!

[vanilly-not-found]

"It doesn't matter which one it is, both reasons are bad.

Yes, it will happen. I know it will, and you can deny that all you want, or call me crazy, but I know."

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

then to be clear … it’s both reasons! HAHA! ohhhhh, there are oh SO many stories i could tell you of the stuff that i have done. alll cookies just LOOOVE a little beastly (HE HE HE HE) entertainment, amirite?

you are SO RIGHT. you have LOST YOUR MIND. HA HA HA HA HA HAHHHHHH!!

[vanilly-not-found]

"You aren't right. And I don't care to hear more stories about how you caused suffering for others.

Actually, it sounds like you're the one who lost their mind, not me. My mind is pretty intact. Ironically."

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

ohhhhhhhhhhhh but i AM right! HA HA HA! you’ll understand someday, i’ll make sure of that! :D

weeelllll losing something implies i HAD it in the first place, so i will HAVE to insist that i did NOT lose my mind!

[vanilly-not-found]

"..Excuse me? How do you plan to make me understand? What, are you going to throw me into a river, too-?

You're right about that. My mistake. .. I wonder what Pure Vanilla Cookie will think about all of this. Sorry to bring him up again, I know it's annoying. I don't- really care, though. So um."

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

the river was VERY effective! also he went in willingly, i never forced anyone, for the record.

welllllllll i could always drag mine here to see his reaction….

[vanilly-not-found]

"I don't buy that someone would choose to do that. No.

......Oh? That-.. would make this conversation worth it...!"

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

ohhhh but he DID!! :)

… yes … just a minute …

*he rips open a portal next to where he floats and just shoves his head inside it to talk to someone on the other side of it for a bit before he pops back out with Pure Vanilla Cookie coming out soon after*

[vanilly-not-found]

"Suree.."

.

.

!

He gasped.

"Pure Vanilla Cookie.....!? Wow! It's... lovely to meet you!" His hands shook slightly

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

tis what happened~

…

oh, hello! Shadow Milk Cookie told me a little about you, it’s lovely to meet you as well

[vanilly-not-found]

"Hello! I never thought I would get this opportunity to speak with you! Well, with one of you, I guess-! ..There's so much I've wanted to say if this ever happened and yet III can't recall what any of it is, hah.."

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

hehe! i’m sure you’ll remember what you wanted to say soon

no, i think he MIIIGHT be a —

Shadow Milk Cookie … please … TRY to behave

…

he’s been tormenting you, hasn’t he?

[vanilly-not-found]

"I'm sure I will!"

.

..

...

"Just a liittle bit.. haha...."

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

*Pure Vanilla glances at Shadow Milk, looking rather disappointed, the other pretends not to notice the glance*

i’m sorry about him. he agreed to try to be better. but i think he only tries around people he likes … i’ll have to talk to him about that later

[vanilly-not-found]

He looked between them

"Oh, no! No, there's no need to apologize. Though, a talk would probably be for the best. ..He told me so many- strange things.."

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

he is a very peculiar cookie, so i have no doubt he has said some ... odd things. ... it also seems very likely that it was said with the sole purpose of tormenting you, which does require an apology, and i know he won't give one

[vanilly-not-found]

"Well, thank you, that's very kind. ...Though, is he always like this?"

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

*Shadow Milk is just. glaring between these two, very annoyed at the direction this conversation is heading*

he reminds me a lot of a sheep separated from its flock for too long, scared and lonely and not knowing how to react to being close to others again apart from lashing out against them. he is dangerous, there is no doubt about that, but i have no doubt that given enough time, he could get better.

I am NOT one of your sheep, Nilly

...

... ... baaaa :)

*Shadow Milk GLARES at him, very annoyed*

... ... ... ... baaa

[vanilly-not-found]

"I- I didn't think of it like that! Wow.. I think I understand now."

...

"HAHAHAHAHA-!"

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

i am glad to have helped in some way :)

*Shadow Milk is glaring back at Vanilla Paste now*

IT WASN'T FUNNY

[vanilly-not-found]

"You certainly have!

...Haha.....!

You're right! You're right! .. Ha.."

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

IF YOU DIDN’T THINK IT WAS FUNNY WHY ARE YOU STILL LAUGHING?????

shadow milk, calm down

[vanilly-not-found]

"I couldn't help itt! I stopped now, see?"

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

OF COURSE YOU COULD HELP IT. IT IS QUITE EASY TO HELP WHEN YOU START LAUGHING.

*Pure Vanilla just. gently bonks Shadow Milk on his head, which surprised the other into going quiet and turning to stare at him*

calm down, screaming at people accomplishes nothing. he’s not laughing at you anymore

[vanilly-not-found]

"Not for me, sometimes! It was more the surprise of it that set me off, anyway."

..He was shocked that actually did anything

"Exactly!"

[vanilly-not-found]

hello!! i happen to know who you used to be QUITE well! if you have any questions your friends have not answered yet i could help :)

@master-of-puppets-and-shadows

"You do? I'm.. afraid I'm not sure who I'm speaking with, exactly, but.. I do appreciate the kind offer!"

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

of course!! :)

oh yes, introductions are QUITE important! i am Shadow Milk Cookie!

[vanilly-not-found]

"It's nice to meet you, Shadow Milk Cookie! Oh, that name does sound familiar! I'm- well, I suppose you already know, don't you..."

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

it is nice to meet you again!! i would CERTAINLY hope my name sounds familiar, you DID temporarily live with me for a bit…

[vanilly-not-found]

"I- did....? I'm sorry, my friends never told me about that..."

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

HAHAH! what an INTERESTING little detail for them to CONVENIENTLY forget to tell you about!! yes! you did! we used to play chess together fairly often. :)

[vanilly-not-found]

"We played chess? It looks like a bit of a complicated game! ...Could you teach me how to play again?"

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

but of COURSE we did! oh i would be COMPLETELY willing to teach you again!

[vanilly-not-found]

"Thank you, haha! I really do learn something new about myself every day.."

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

you’re welcome!! heh heh! well i am QUITE PLEASED to have HELPED you learn more, Silly Vanilly :)

[vanilly-not-found]

"Hahaha-! 'Silly Vanilly?' Is that an actual thing you've called me before??"

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

ha ha ha ha!! yes it is! oh we had SUCH fun together, Nilly! even if those kids you had with you were INFURIATING to deal with

[vanilly-not-found]

"Oh, I think you mean-.. what was his name again... Ginger-something? Gingerbright, maybe. I thought he was pretty nice- did he do something to prove otherwise..?"

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

HAH! yes, Gingerbrave and his little entourage traveled with you … and kept INTERFERING with my PLANS, infuriating little BRATS. but that is HARDLY important now~! :)

[vanilly-not-found]

"Gingerbrave, yes that was it-!.. Oh. That's, hm... are you sure they meant to interfere? Maybe there was some sort of misunderstanding..

Anyway! I was just on my way to the market. Would you like to join me?"

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

oh there was EVERY intention of interfering, him and his friends made that ABUNDANTLY clear

hahah! that does sound QUITE fun! sure, i’ll join you :)

[vanilly-not-found]

"I'll try to talk to them later, and see what they have to say about it..

Lovely, let's go then!" He smiled

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

hah! they’ll claim they “had to” and were “saving you from me” … overdramatic PESTS

*he smiles back at him*

[vanilly-not-found]

"'Saving?' Haha! I wouldn't have needed saving! Perhaps they had good intentions, but were just a bit.. misguided?"

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

yes! it was QUITE silly of them! i had NO intention to cause any harm! all we did was play some games and they made SUCH a big deal out of it. and their intentions did nothing to change the fact that their actions were annoying

[vanilly-not-found]

"I'm sorry they did that...! I'll explain things to them, and make sure it doesn't happen again! Okay?"

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

oh that would be AWFULLY NICE of you, Nilly! i would GREATLY appreciate it :)

[vanilly-not-found]

"Hmmm, did I have a nickname for you in return? And, of course, I'm happy to help!"

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

hmmmm. you weren’t much for nicknames … of course you are, always so compassionate

[vanilly-not-found]

"..That does make sense, now that I think about it.. Yes, I do my best to keep that up! I've heard it was one of my defining characteristics, really!"

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

… i suppose it does! haha! :)

oh it REALLY is! sometimes gets a bit annoying about it. ANYWAY! i am oh so GLAD you have such WONDERFUL friends who have been helping you remember so much …

[vanilly-not-found]

"Haha, yes! I.. have no idea where I would be right now, without them to guide me.... I do wish they had told me about you, but I understand that this whole situation is a bit strange in and of itself!"

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

if i was one to guess i would say a lonely amnesiac wandering the country with no hope of EVER remembering a THING about who you were. oh it’s probably for the best, i DOUBT i have the BEST reputation among your friends, i have done some … not great things … in the past

[vanilly-not-found]

"Oh, that's.. a little bleak. I like to think that maybe someone kind would've given me a place to live, food, a job, even.... well, there's no need to linger on that, thankfully!

Really? Ah- may I ask what sort of things? If you feel comfortable discussing it, that is."

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

*he laughs for … WAY too long at that comment*

cookies are not NEARLY as kind as you like to think they are~! what a silly, naive, belief you have, such a silly silly cookie, Silly Vanilly! they would have turned their backs on the strange cookie wandering around talking nonsense about not remembering anything about who he is. paranoia, suspicion, and selfishness are MUCH more common motives than compassion

… yes! … … i tried to fight the witches for one thing

[vanilly-not-found]

He did look a bit upset at that

"Maybe not all cookies would be so compassionate, that is true- but surely, somewhere on Crispia, there would have been someone to lend me aid. I don't think that's a naive, or silly thought to have. Why- really, if you think about it- isn't that what happened? My friends cared enough to find me when I was gone for so long! And I think they would have helped me, even if they hadn't known me before! They're good cookies.

...The- the witches!? That's-..!"

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

oh there probably are other foolish cookies out there who would have ignored the potential danger of allowing a strange cookie into their home, but almost certainly to make themselves look like a selfless little saint! friends helping friends is a special case, really. almost everyone else has ulterior motives when it comes to acts of kindness

yes, the Witches. it did NOT go well for my friends and I, but in my defense those fiends deserved it

[vanilly-not-found]

"You don't think very well of others, do you? I mean I'm sure there is a reason for that, but I really, really doubt that the majority of cookies are how you describe! If they were, there would be hardly any reason to give back to communities, to- to help one another..

I can imagine!"

...

"I guess I can't really imagine, on second thought, um... I'm sorry that it didn't go well?"

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

i’m only telling the truth, my boy. doubt it all you want but it will NEVER change that fact. cookies use other cookies for their own gain and no other reason apart from in VERY special circumstances. tis a harsh truth to swallow, but isn’t it better than suffering under a false hope of selflessness that will never exist?

…

you don’t sound particularly sorry, Vanilla Paste Cookie. but that IS understandable, i suppose. not every day you meet someone who says they’ve tried to fight against the “gods”

[vanilly-not-found]

"I'm sorry, I- thought you said you knew who I was, that we lived together-? I don't think Pure Vanilla would agree with what you're saying, and neither do I! It simply isn't true. At least to me. Please respect my thoughts on it.

...Well.. yes, it is sort of hard to take in! I don't really know what else to say about that..."

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

i know almost EVERYTHING there is to know about Pure Vanilla Cookie. and we did live together for a bit. oh yes the both of you have always been such silly cookies, believing in a world where that is NOT the truth. hahah. so your thoughts on this deserve respect while mine get thrown away as lies, hmmm?

… fair enough …

[vanilly-not-found]

He was quiet for awhile .....

"No. You... you do have a point. Maybe I am being a bit silly not to at least.. consider what you're saying on the matter. It's... just... hard to hear, with who I'm supposed to be, and how he felt about that, but I'm not trying to call you a liar. Really, you might be correct! But it's not my place to disagree with Pure Vanilla Cookie, you know..?

....At least you're still alive and well after such a fight!"

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

*he grins at him, revealing sharp teeth*

HA HA HA HA HA HA!! that you are, that you are! but with how you’re “supposed to be” i can CERTAINLY see how you MIGHT have got the idea i was lying about it. though i must say, i am EVER so curious, do you WANT to go back to who you were? or do you want to be your own individual?

… … well. well i am well. hahah. … it … was NOT much of a fight. i think all we managed to accomplish was bite one of them

[vanilly-not-found]

He flinched back, startled by his sharp teeth

"...All- that I want, is to be who I was again. And I will be. It will happen, I know it will. Until then, I'm just.. biding my time. ...When that time comes- think of the parades. The feasts! Oh, it will be spectacular...!

.....More than I would be able to do, more likely than not, hah.."

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

heheheh! awful lot of repetition for something you’re so SURE about. makes it seem more like you’re trying to convince yourself it’s what you want. hahah! y’know what? you could PROBABLY convince them to have big feasts and parades WITHOUT actually being who you were

… … huh … that is. a good point, actually

[vanilly-not-found]

"Pardon-? I'm- very certain it's what I want, actually! It's about the only thing I've been sure of this entire time. And yes, I could probably start a parade or festival or- whatever if I really wanted to, but right now, there's nothing to celebrate. The return of Pure Vanilla Cookie is sure to be a HUGE celebration!"

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA!! but SHOULD you want that? really, SHOULD you? is it SERIOUSLY in YOUR BEST INTEREST to return to being THAT overly compassionate cookie? whatever identity you have carved for yourself up until now would be completely and irrevecably DESTROYED by that situation. HE HE HE HE HE HE HE! oh trust me on this, as someone who knows the guy better than his half-baked, halfacookie friends, his return does not warrant a “huge celebration”

[vanilly-not-found]

"What awful things to say to me! I really AM starting to think you never knew Pure Vanilla Cookie. And if you did, you CERTAINLY weren't his FRIEND! I'm very HONORED that I was him, and I hope I am again as soon as possible! You- you're acting as though I haven't thought about what will happen to me, but believe me, I have. And I accepted from the beginning that I wouldn't be here forever, and that's okay, because sure, I might make a few new friends who will miss me- he has an entire kingdom's worth, and probably even more than that! He has done more for Earthbread than you and I ever will, and I hope when he's back that he remembers this conversation, because maybe he could teach you some RESPECT."

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

ohhhhhh, so you ARE capable of anger! how very INTRIGUING! all i’m doing is telling you the TRUTH, though~! i can HARDLY be blamed for how HARSH it is! hmmmmm, did i ever say he was my “friend”? sure, he OFFERED it once, and SURE i DID invite him back to live with me again. an invitation he accepted, i should note. but i’m getting a LITTLE off topic there. you are SERIOUSLY wanting to ABANDON everything you have made of yourself for THAT old fool!? ever heard that poem about people without enemies? the fool never did a THING with his life. HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA!! OHHHHH you surely must be JESTING, you silly cookie, i must say you REALLY should leave THAT to the professionals. i wrote EVERY book of knowledge there is on this world and started the Blueberry Yogurt Academy. i have done SO MUCH MORE than he could ever hope to accomplish

[vanilly-not-found]

"All of this is hurting my head, and now I'm more convinced than ever that you're a liar. Starting the Blueberry Yogurt Academy.. at least has a chance of being true. 'Every book of knowledge'? That's impossible! ....Hah.. haha-... sorry, it's just.. if Pure Vanilla Cookie really did accept the invitation from you, perhaps you're right to call him a fool. He did so much good, and you can't even acknowledge that. I don't like being angry at someone, I don't, but you're making it so difficult right now.

..No. No, I'm not going to be angry anymore. That's what you were looking for, isn't it? A reaction from me? Well, I only wish that you leave me alone, from now on. We- can go our separate ways, and it will allll be fine.."

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

HA HA HA HA HA HA! oh it did take oh so LONG to write them, and some of them i dictated. MOST of them i used pseudonyms for. so if you’ve ever read a book by Blueberry Yogurt Cookie, Blueberry Milk Cookie, Lady in Azure, or the Fount of Knowledge *he says that last title more like it’s an insult than a name* than you have read something by ME! heh. heheheheh! i only acknowledge what actually happened~! and the biggest thing he accomplished was to STEAL FROM ME!

ohhh i am not LOOKING for anything~! i ONLY wanted to have a nice chat with someone! :)

[vanilly-not-found]

"....I can't say that I know those names, but that might just be on me. III don't read very high-level books. But what I do know is that Pure Vanilla Cookie was no thief! Stealing would be going against- everything he believed in, really! I know he wouldn't do that. You really think you can trick me, huh? Haha-! No!" So proud of himself

"As if! I, am being targeted, and I have been since the start of this conversation. I can see through it all, now!"

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

HAH! well THAT explains why you’re so foolish! read a book sometime, you’d enjoy it. i’m surprised that infuriating PEST White Lily Cookie never told you that. HA HA HA HA! NOT A THIEF? SERIOUSLY? NOT. A THIEF? HE HE HE HE! then where did he get that Soul Jam you wear? like it EVER could have belonged to YOU! or him while we’re on THAT topic

oho! you think you’re SOOOOO clever, hmmm? it’s sorta pitiful, really.

buuuut it doesn’t really matter in the grand scheme of things, give it a few eons and every cookie will forget your name, doesn’t matter how much you do~! well unless you do something beastly, heh!, that is

[vanilly-not-found]

"I do read books! They may not be as advanced as yours, but that doesn't make me foolish! I.. didn't retain a lot of knowledge from Pure Vanilla Cookie. ..First him, then Gingerbrave- now White Lily Cookie? Do you have something against everyone I know and care about?

......The Soul Jam was earned by Pure Vanilla Cookie, from the Witches. That's all I know. I wasn't told a thing about him being a thief, and I still refuse to believe it!

I'm pitiful? You are the one that turned this nice conversatio- I need to calm down. This.. isn't worth getting so riled up about...

I don't mind if they forget my name, it isn't like I've done something that should be remembered. But.. while my friends and Pure Vanilla Cookie are remembered, it will be in a good light! Even if they're forgotten about one day, that's okay, because they were thought of fondly before that. Being known for something 'beastly..' maybe you'll be remembered longer, but is it even worth it if everyone thinks you were a terrible, good-for-nothing cookie?"

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

hmmm, what books do you read? … uhh, well the cheesey one is pretty funny, the drunkard seems fun, and the other one … sorta want to try to make him laugh to see if he’s actually serious about the whole “doesn’t know how to laugh” thing. and White Lily Cookie. she’s the sort of cookie i WOULD have liked. IIIIF she hadn’t been one of the ones trying to SEAL me back into that ACCURSED TREE.

oh, of course. the witches steal from us and actually bother testing our “replacements” … … … ANYWAY! does NOT change the fact that he has HALF OF SOMETHING THAT BELONGS TO ME

*he leans forward slightly, hands clasped behind his back and head tilted incredibly far to one side*

i’m the one who ruined this conversation? heh!! wow, way to shift the blame there, mister “i can only talk about how WONDERFUL Pure Vanilla Cookie was” :D

… that was more a thinly veiled complaint about cookie’s strange fascination with truly monstrous deeds. see, i could have a thousand lectures in front of a hundred schools teaching the importance of eating vegetables to the local children, OR i could kidnap one of the kids from that class for NOT eating their vegetables and then the story of THAT act will be passed down from generation to generation amd those children are more likely to eat their vegetables. is this making any sense to you or do i need to explain it more?

[vanilly-not-found]

"You- don't need to know about my reading interests! ..Wait, seal you into a tree? You just keep saying things that make NO sense...

If the Witches stole it from you, then how is that Pure Vanilla Cookie's fault? He proved himself to be deserving of it! Did you?"

..

"And you keep talking about how he isn't! I'm not going to just- let you do that! If I can help it, which I can't, really, but.. I can try!

......I know what you're trying to say, and I know how I feel about it..... but I can't think of a good counter-argument. Um. I mean.. your example isn't wrong. But maybe the lectures could have been better, so that the kids were inspired to eat their vegetables, instead of needing to be threatened..?" Not so proud of himself now, hm?

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

sure i don't NEED to, but i can still be CURIOUS, hmm? hahah! did she "forget" to mention ANYTHING about Beast Yeast to you? i think you may need to have a little chat with White Lily Cookie after this

counterpoint: i was baked for the SOLE PURPOSE of wielding the Soul Jam's FULL POWER, so how could i NOT be deserving of it?

...

i'm only still talking about how he isn't because you won't stop talking about how he is~!

HAH! oh i didn't just THREATEN them, i actually kidnapped MULTIPLE children because of this. it has proven itself to be INCREDIBLY effective so far. far more effective than any of my lessons have ever been.

[vanilly-not-found]

"I'm not going to tell you about that. Um. I know that White Lily Cookie's kingdom is in Beast Yeast.. that's really it. ..But she must have a reason for not telling me certain things, and that's okay!

Did you.. fulfill that purpose, though?

Well-!......

I probably did go on about him too much, didn't I? Witches, I should really stop doing that.. although you could have dropped the subject, instead of arguing back with me and being negative.

WHAT?! That's- no! Are- they- okay now..?"

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

why not? … hmmm. so you don’t know a THING about ANYTHING that happened there to you and your friends? HE HE HE HE! she took this as an opportunity to hide some … “unpleasant” memories from you, didn’t she?

i served that purpose for longer than you OR Pure Vanilla Cookie have been alive. i was baked when Earthbread itself was still cooling from the oven, after all. HA HA HA HA! :)

you PROBABLY should. maybe get some opinions of your own for once. this amnesia is a WONDERFUL opportunity for you, i must say. weeellll. i could have dropped it. but that wouldn’t have been as fun

yeah yeah i returned them to their parents after a couple of hours. they’re FINE

[vanilly-not-found]

"Okay, I admit that they're- a bit low-level. But I still enjoy them! ..If she did, there must have been a reason for it. She'll tell me when I'm ready.

Even so- something must have happened to get some of your power taken. It's liiike... if an employee is really good and hard-working for a few years, but then they start slacking. Their employer would probably fire them regardless of if they did a good job before.

These are my own opinions! .....When the other Ancients first found me, they gave me the option to- to- not, stay here. They weren't happy to, of course, but they still told me that I could leave, if I wanted to. But I didn't want to, and I still don't.

That's.. good, I suppose? ..It must have been a frightening experience for them.."

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

… if you tell me you’ve been reading picture books i don’t think i’ll ever stop laughing at you. what if she decides you’ll never be ready and NEVER tells you all of your memories? :)

first off, ALL i did was start asking questions, which APPARENTLY they don’t like their puppets doing. secondly, employees are chosen from a group of other applicants for being the best suited choice for the job, NOT BAKED WITH NO OTHER PURPOSE IN THEIR LIFE

how nice of them. really my … colleagues. would never do such a thing for each other.

it would not have had the same effect if they weren’t scared. but i never did anything to cause permanent harm to them

[vanilly-not-found]

"No, no! Not that low-level, Witches no! And she doesn't have to tell me. I'll know everything, once I get my memories back.

Maybe that wasn't the best analogy. I don't know why I'm talking about this, I wasn't there, I know practically nothing about the Witches-..... May I ask- what was your purpose? Was it only to hold the Soul Jam?

..Oh? I'm.. sorry. About that.

I still don't agree with such a method, of course, but I am glad that they weren't harmed too badly."

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

aha! so you’ve moved on to learning sentences books, i see. … fair enough

… … … i was given the Soul Jam almost immediately out of the oven … it gave me near infinite knowledge. i could see the past, present, and future of any cookie who came to me. i could answer any question, no matter the subject or difficulty. THAT was my purpose.

… HA HA HA! WHY ARE YOU SORRY? you’ve never met them, you never had anything to do with them.

i tend to AVOID hurting children unless they’re INSUFFERABLY infuriating

[vanilly-not-found]

"I woke up still able to read, you know! And, maybe if I wanted to I could try reading studies, or essays.. but they aren't very interesting to me, honestly.

...That... sounds... incredible! But- very demanding."

His eyes widened. "Wait, does that mean- could you see this conversation was going to happen? Oh! Can you see my future? Will I ever get my memories back?

Even so, I can still be sorry that they aren't more.. supportive.

So- you have hurt children before....?"

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

HAHAHAHAH! i’m only teasing you about this. i know you can read :)

… it was.

i did not look at my own future much, i only ever saw glimpses, that i failed to avoid. hmmmm, it isn’t QUITE as reliable as it used to be…but i could try looking if you want me to

… … hahahah. and there you go. being SO compassionate again …

i don’t think it should count if they were prevented from hitting the ground, or if the damage was TECHNICALLY caused by a game piece

[vanilly-not-found]

"Oh!.. I couldn't really tell, haha..

No, no, don't look. I think- I would rather not know my future, on second thought. I'm certain of the answer, anyway, looking isn't necessary..!

.....I- would you rather I not be?

..A game piece? How could a game piece damage someone?"

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

i’ll take THAT as a compliment to my acting skills! :)

alright! i won’t look. well i won’t look and then tell you what i see

i would MUCH rather you not be

to be fair the children were about the same size as this game piece and it WAS attacking them

[vanilly-not-found]

"I suppose it is. ..How much of this conversation was an act, exactly?

No, please, don't look at all! If I don't know, then I don't think you should, either. Not that I could stop you, probably- but still..

Let me get this straight- you don't want me to be nice to you-?

Those were either very small children or very large game pieces..."

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

why THANK you!! HA HA HA HA! ohhhh now THAT is something for me to know and you to question for the rest of eternity :)

you are ABSOLUTELY right! you cannot stop me! from doing anything, really, bit ESPECIALLY this

nope! i do NOT want that! i know your friendliness isn’t genuine~!

twas magically created illusions! and shrunk down children.

[vanilly-not-found]

He sighed. "Okay then.

I would genuinely appreciate it if you didn't, though. Besides, you said it isn't as reliable as it used to be. ...Um, question: if you saw something really, really bad in my future- would you want to tell me? I'm not asking you to. I'm just curious what you would do..

......It is genuine. If it weren't, it would have gone away with my memories. Although- it might have diminished a bit. I got so angry earlier! That isn't meant to happen..!

Oh my. Very.... interesting?"

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

…

you would have NO way of knowing i did it unless i was RIGHT in front of you when i did. hmmmmm, it depends on whether or not telling you would have funnier consequences than NOT telling you

HA HA HA HA HA! it seems more like you act nice because that’s what you think Pure Vanilla Cookie was like…

ah. so it doesn’t sound familiar? doesn’t feel like something you should remember? you were there, you know. you saw it happen

[vanilly-not-found]

"...I should expect answers like that, really..

And if I wasn't nice, why would I care what he was like? How I present myself? Why would I eat when I should, and sleep when I should, and do whatever I'm supposed to do, so that he can come back, and not have lost- everything? I.. do have to work to be nicer, sometimes. But not often. Probably with you, mostly. Hm."

.......

"I'm getting the feeling that there was more to it all than just 'I lived with you for a bit.'"

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

you REALLY should

i don’t get why you CARE about any of that stuff in the FIRST PLACE. it makes NO SENSE at all. so those are all MARVELOUS questions, WHY DO YOU CARE?

…

hmmmmm yeah i THINK that was about it. APART from some playing games and suchlike

[vanilly-not-found]

"I know. I don't want to assume you'll always say something I don't like to hear, but I doubt it'll stop happening any time soon.

Well, I care because it's the right thing to do, and I want to do it! It.. it makes me feel good, I guess. Not that that's the only reason. I just mean.. I want to be a nice cookie, and make others happy. There isn't much of a motive behind it."

..

"Let me guess, did one of the 'games' involve- I don't know, hitting someone over the head, or something?"

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA!! you must believe me i do NOT make a habit of saying stuff you don’t approve of :)

*he does…*

ohhhh? and why is it the right thing to do? because you think it’s nice?

no, actually. the ONLY game that MAY have caused brain damage was the Yogurt River, but i do not believe he got close enough to drowning for that to be an issue

[vanilly-not-found]

"I doubt that somehow..! That smile doesn't help. Neither does the laughing-.. which is likely the point, okay...

I don't know. It's sort of hard to translate into words that are factually correct, when it's moreso how I feel. It's just- how I am!

A near-drowning, of course. ..Who was it that could have been hurt?"

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

you take everything MUCH too seriously if a little laughter and smiling is enough to get you THIS suspicious of someone

“just how i am”. hmmmm, rather INTERESTING reasoning to arrive at “this is the right choice” for, presumably, everyone

it was NOT near…Pure Vanilla got out of the river LONG before “near-drowning” could be a concern

[vanilly-not-found]

"But it's how you did it! It wasn't in a very friendly way. Which I don't need to explain.

Well.. I do think everyone should try to be nice, yes. That would solve so many problems in the world. Actually, what reasonable argument is there against that?

..Pure Vanilla!? You- for a game- was he able to swim? Beforehand, did you know if he could?"

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

i was being SO friendly. : )

who cares about REASON all of a sudden? HA HA HA HA!! it REALLY is NOT like kindness ever got me anywhere before. only going to try again if someone i happen to still like begs me to

HE HE HE HE! oh being able to swim does not make a difference in the river i had him go into! i ALMOST thought he would try to hold on to his precious truth until he drowned.

[vanilly-not-found]

"No, you weren't, you're just trying to annoy me again.

But maybe it can be different now! If you want it to be. ...I'm guessing I'm not one of those someones?

What? I don't understand. You- put him in a river, and was going to let him drown, unless he.. let go of some sort of truth?"

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

i would NEVER TRY to annoy ANYONE! :D

… you most CERTAINLY are NOT. it’s not a particularly long list to start with, and i do NOT intend to add you to it

what don’t you understand? you just summed it up PERFECTLY!

[vanilly-not-found]

"You're doing it right now, and I'm telling you, it isn't working. I am not upset.

.....Figured as much. ..It's probably good that I'm not on that list, I'm a bit concerned about what someone would need to do to actually be liked by you..

What truth did you want him to let go of so badly?"

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

i said i’d never try. never said anything about never succeeding at it :)

… there’s only eiiiiigghhhtttt? people on the list. sort of a variety of things, nothing too horrible

all of it :):):):))

[vanilly-not-found]

He loosely crossed his arms. "You aren't succeeding at it, either.

That's a surprise! That they didn't do too bad of things, I mean.

'All of it'?..... Pure Vanilla Cookie wouldn't do that. Of course he didn't. He knew the value of the truth. It isn't something- he could have just casted aside. He held the Light of Truth, for Witches' sake...!" .

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

oh! i’m not? :)

even more surprising for you would be that one of them is Pure Vanilla Cookie. not the one you used to be, of course, different one

yes yes ALLLL of it! and considering he did NOT drown in yogurt it seems SAFE to assume he did, at least temporarily ABANDON IT. HA HA HA!!

[vanilly-not-found]

"No, you're not. I'm really not annoyed at this point, just- confused, tired maybe?

...Oh..? Is he really that different from me?..

....How could you do such a thing to him..!? Doesn't it bother you at all? The fact that you can even laugh about that-!

I need to leave. White Lily Cookie is waiting for me back at the house. I wouldn't want to worry her more than I have to."

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

heheh! well i guess THAT is an acceptable end result, too!! :)

… hmmmmm … he’s pretty much a normal Pure Vanilla Cookie …

he he he heheheh! i had several reasons, BUUUT they don’t really matter anymore. and no, it does NOT bother me! :)

yes YES go RUNNING back to that infuriating little half cookie, haha!

[vanilly-not-found]

"Of course it is..

Does he know the things you've done? If he doesn't, you should tell him..

That's sick and twisted. ...I wanted to give you a chance at first, I did.. I'm sorry that I can't. Not sorry to you specifically, just in general.

...Actually, I'll stay, and explain to her later why I took so long out here. Wouldn't want to miss out on anymore 'fun' conversations."

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

tee hee!! :):)))))

but of COURSE he does! he WAS the victim to SOME of it, y’know

ohhhhhhh! FINALLY someone who has enough sense to know i have NO CHANCE of “redemption” or WHATEVE shit you people believe in

… hwhaaaaa??????

*don’t know HOW to describe his expression other than “wet cat”. so. he just stares at him like a confused wet cat*

you were just SO insistent on leaving what are you up to?

[vanilly-not-found]

"Well, I suppose that it's his decision if he wants to interact with you, then..

...I didn't say that. I just meant.. okay, I'll admit it- you do make me uncomfortable. The strange things you're talking about. Umm.. that doesn't mean that someone else can't try to help you! But I don't think that someone could be me. If anyone could even do that. Yeah...

You wanted me to go 'running back' to White Lily Cookie so badly, that I suppose I can stay here for longer. I don't know. I'm just being petty, I guess."

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

twas unexptected that he agreed to stay with me again. heheh!

… so delusional with those hopes of yours, just like him in that way … oh well i can tell you for CERTAIN that there is NO ONE who can help me! heheh!

egh. White Lily Cookie is BARELY half a cookie and her other half has done SO MUCH more useful things than she ever could

[vanilly-not-found]

"That is very unexpected. Hm. Why would he do that?

I think the word there is hopeful, not delusional. ....Maybe there is someone out there, and you just haven't met them yet. There is a chance, even if it's a low one.

..Her other half? ...This is another big thing the others have failed to tell me about, isn't it.."

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

i think he got a bad case of the “i can fix him”s last time he stayed here….

… you do NOT understand. there is no CHANCE at ALL. No “hope”…

… PFFFHAHAHAHAHAHHWHEEHHEHHHHHHG!!! THEY DIDN’T TELL YOU ABOUT DARK ENCHANTRESS COOKIE????

[vanilly-not-found]

"Oh. That does make sense.

You don't know that, though! I mean, unless you looked at your own future- but you said yourself that it wasn't always reliable.

............." Yeahhh that was a no

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

… … he’s a weird little guy

i haven’t looked at my future … but … … i have good reason for believing this

*he GRINS much wider than it really looks like he should be able to, once again revealing his oddly sharp teeth*

do you WANT me to tell you about her?

[vanilly-not-found]

"Aren't we all, hah..

Then what are those reasons?"

!!

"..I-.. if.. if it's something I need to know.. Then I guess so...? Although, since it's something to do with White Lily Cookie, she should be the one to tell me.."

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

hahah! good point …

… … … … so … hypothetical question … if someone were to take away half your soul and half your powers, would it be sensible to assume that the part of soul you had left was irreversibly corrupted amd you had no chance of ever getting better?

…

ohhhhh it IS something you need to know. and since she hasn’t told you yet do you really think she’ll tell you now?

[vanilly-not-found]

"Well, hypothetically-.. maybe the soul left could be uncorrupted somehow..? Or reunited with the part that was taken? If taking half of the soul was possible in the first place, ways to fix it probably exist, too. Hypothetically."

..

He took a deep breath. "Fine. No. She... probably won't. Tell me, about Dark Enchantress Cookie.."

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

… i tried getting back the other half of the Soul Jam.. didn’t get it … ohhhhh and it MOST certainly is possible to take away half a soul. it’s also possible to take away the WHOLE THING if you REALLLY want to

…

Dark Enchantress Cookie started the Dark Flour War, devoted to the cause of burning all cookies to ash to avoid their appointed fate of the Witches’ Banquet! she also made nice new bodies for my friends and myself and, most IMPORTANTLY of all, used to be WHITE LILY COOKIE

*why. why does he look so happy about this?*

[vanilly-not-found]

He looked at Shadow Milk's Soul Jam, then back at his own, but didn't comment on it

"What was in the half that was taken from you?

A. War. There- was a war.. and she wanted to crumble everyone.... Except you and some other cookies, for some reason...... but- if she's White Lily Cookie-....!

I'm living with someone who started a WAR!?"

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

half my soul. and half of my power. :))

yes yess there was! ohhh she thinks that the war will go better for her if she has the Beast cookies aiding her. so she gave us shiny new bodies!! :D

HA HA HA HA HA HAVHA HA HAVHAHAHAHAHH!! YES YOU ARE!! HE HE HE HE HE HE HEVHE!

[vanilly-not-found]

"Half of your power makes more sense than half of your soul, how do you split a soul in half..?

Beast Cookies.. you're a Beast Cookie. ...I am speaking to a Beast Cookie. Witches help me this is awful. ..You. Aren't actually going to help her, are you!? Even if she gave you a new body. Since you needed one, apparently.

.....She.... has a lot to explain to me. Do- you think I'm in danger, being near her? ..Has she been hiding this from me so that I don't turn against her and try to prevent this war breaking out again? Oh Witches, are my other friends in on this...?"

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

i … don’t know …

the witches are the ones who didn’t even TRY to help my friends and i when we started to corrupt. they for ABSOLUTELY certain will not help you. hmmmm, i have YET to make a concrete decision either way. on the one hand, i would PREFER staying in my Spire and cause chaos from afar, but on the other she DID make these new bodies…

HEHEHEHEHH YOU’RE ASKING ME!? HAHAHAHAHAHAHHHHHHH! oh ho ho HAHEHEHEHH now THAT is HILARIOUS, a REAL showstopper, let me tell you.

[vanilly-not-found]

"Hm....

So they could have prevented it, but they didn't. ..I hope you decide not to help her. Besides, if she wants to burn everyone- who would you cause chaos towards?

I don't know that I was asking you. Maybe I was. I don't know anymore. I think all of this is way over my head and I hate it. I do know I shouldn't believe a word you're saying.. but at the same time, I'm not sure if I can even trust my friends......"

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

…

i knoowwwwwwww. but it does seem like i should AT LEAST temporarily help her … then again the life force extractor i helped her make MIIGHT have been enough

hmmmm, so, seems you’re whole life, your friends, possibly even YOURSELF, has been a lie? how does that make you feel? any regrets? HAHAHA!

[vanilly-not-found]

"The. What. Please. Please tell me that's not what it sounds like it is!

I did the best with the information I was given, and I'll continue to do so.. I just need to.. reflect, on all of this. Probably talk to the other Ancients about it. ..If you were expecting me to give up like Pure Vanilla Cookie did, you are mistaken."

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

the Life Extractor. it is MOST CERTAINLY exactly what it sounds like.

you need to get a LOT better at gathering information, then! and DEFINITELY talk to those other Ancients.

[vanilly-not-found]

"Why would you give her that. WHY would you GIVE her THAT!?

It's not like I have any sources of information besides the Ancients. And I guess you. ..Neither seem very reliable now."

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

in exchange for the new bodies she made! also the SCREAMS totally made it worth it! :)

*… it is impossible to tell if he’s joking or not*

HA HA HA HA HA HA!! how UTTERLY unfortunate for you!! HE HE HE HE HE! you really should find yourself some more reliable sources

[vanilly-not-found]

"..........

I'm done with you, I'm done with this conversation. No more. Okay?

I don't need sources, it's fine. My friends will explain to me what's gone on."

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

awwww but we were JUST getting to such a FUN TOPIC. :(

i doubt they willlll~!

[vanilly-not-found]

"It isn't fun, it's evil. I'm not talking about death, and war, and dangerous games. Especially since you seem to- enjoy them.

Then I guess I'll have to wait until I get my memories back. Fine by me."

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA!!! how do you know it’s those i take pleasure in and not your discomfort?

that may never happennnnn!!

[vanilly-not-found]

"It doesn't matter which one it is, both reasons are bad.

Yes, it will happen. I know it will, and you can deny that all you want, or call me crazy, but I know."

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

then to be clear … it’s both reasons! HAHA! ohhhhh, there are oh SO many stories i could tell you of the stuff that i have done. alll cookies just LOOOVE a little beastly (HE HE HE HE) entertainment, amirite?

you are SO RIGHT. you have LOST YOUR MIND. HA HA HA HA HA HAHHHHHH!!

[vanilly-not-found]

"You aren't right. And I don't care to hear more stories about how you caused suffering for others.

Actually, it sounds like you're the one who lost their mind, not me. My mind is pretty intact. Ironically."

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

ohhhhhhhhhhhh but i AM right! HA HA HA! you’ll understand someday, i’ll make sure of that! :D

weeelllll losing something implies i HAD it in the first place, so i will HAVE to insist that i did NOT lose my mind!

[vanilly-not-found]

"..Excuse me? How do you plan to make me understand? What, are you going to throw me into a river, too-?

You're right about that. My mistake. .. I wonder what Pure Vanilla Cookie will think about all of this. Sorry to bring him up again, I know it's annoying. I don't- really care, though. So um."

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

the river was VERY effective! also he went in willingly, i never forced anyone, for the record.

welllllllll i could always drag mine here to see his reaction….

[vanilly-not-found]

"I don't buy that someone would choose to do that. No.

......Oh? That-.. would make this conversation worth it...!"

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

ohhhh but he DID!! :)

… yes … just a minute …

*he rips open a portal next to where he floats and just shoves his head inside it to talk to someone on the other side of it for a bit before he pops back out with Pure Vanilla Cookie coming out soon after*

[vanilly-not-found]

"Suree.."

.

.

!

He gasped.

"Pure Vanilla Cookie.....!? Wow! It's... lovely to meet you!" His hands shook slightly

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

tis what happened~

…

oh, hello! Shadow Milk Cookie told me a little about you, it’s lovely to meet you as well

[vanilly-not-found]

"Hello! I never thought I would get this opportunity to speak with you! Well, with one of you, I guess-! ..There's so much I've wanted to say if this ever happened and yet III can't recall what any of it is, hah.."

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

hehe! i’m sure you’ll remember what you wanted to say soon

no, i think he MIIIGHT be a —

Shadow Milk Cookie … please … TRY to behave

…

he’s been tormenting you, hasn’t he?

[vanilly-not-found]

"I'm sure I will!"

.

..

...

"Just a liittle bit.. haha...."

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

*Pure Vanilla glances at Shadow Milk, looking rather disappointed, the other pretends not to notice the glance*

i’m sorry about him. he agreed to try to be better. but i think he only tries around people he likes … i’ll have to talk to him about that later

[vanilly-not-found]

He looked between them

"Oh, no! No, there's no need to apologize. Though, a talk would probably be for the best. ..He told me so many- strange things.."

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

he is a very peculiar cookie, so i have no doubt he has said some ... odd things. ... it also seems very likely that it was said with the sole purpose of tormenting you, which does require an apology, and i know he won't give one

[vanilly-not-found]

"Well, thank you, that's very kind. ...Though, is he always like this?"

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

*Shadow Milk is just. glaring between these two, very annoyed at the direction this conversation is heading*

he reminds me a lot of a sheep separated from its flock for too long, scared and lonely and not knowing how to react to being close to others again apart from lashing out against them. he is dangerous, there is no doubt about that, but i have no doubt that given enough time, he could get better.

I am NOT one of your sheep, Nilly

...

... ... baaaa :)

*Shadow Milk GLARES at him, very annoyed*

... ... ... ... baaa

[vanilly-not-found]

"I- I didn't think of it like that! Wow.. I think I understand now."

...

"HAHAHAHAHA-!"

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

i am glad to have helped in some way :)

*Shadow Milk is glaring back at Vanilla Paste now*

IT WASN'T FUNNY

[vanilly-not-found]

"You certainly have!

...Haha.....!

You're right! You're right! .. Ha.."

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

IF YOU DIDN’T THINK IT WAS FUNNY WHY ARE YOU STILL LAUGHING?????

shadow milk, calm down

[vanilly-not-found]

"I couldn't help itt! I stopped now, see?"

[vanilly-not-found]

hello!! i happen to know who you used to be QUITE well! if you have any questions your friends have not answered yet i could help :)

@master-of-puppets-and-shadows

"You do? I'm.. afraid I'm not sure who I'm speaking with, exactly, but.. I do appreciate the kind offer!"

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

of course!! :)

oh yes, introductions are QUITE important! i am Shadow Milk Cookie!

[vanilly-not-found]

"It's nice to meet you, Shadow Milk Cookie! Oh, that name does sound familiar! I'm- well, I suppose you already know, don't you..."

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

it is nice to meet you again!! i would CERTAINLY hope my name sounds familiar, you DID temporarily live with me for a bit…

[vanilly-not-found]

"I- did....? I'm sorry, my friends never told me about that..."

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

HAHAH! what an INTERESTING little detail for them to CONVENIENTLY forget to tell you about!! yes! you did! we used to play chess together fairly often. :)

[vanilly-not-found]

"We played chess? It looks like a bit of a complicated game! ...Could you teach me how to play again?"

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

but of COURSE we did! oh i would be COMPLETELY willing to teach you again!

[vanilly-not-found]

"Thank you, haha! I really do learn something new about myself every day.."

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

you’re welcome!! heh heh! well i am QUITE PLEASED to have HELPED you learn more, Silly Vanilly :)

[vanilly-not-found]

"Hahaha-! 'Silly Vanilly?' Is that an actual thing you've called me before??"

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

ha ha ha ha!! yes it is! oh we had SUCH fun together, Nilly! even if those kids you had with you were INFURIATING to deal with

[vanilly-not-found]

"Oh, I think you mean-.. what was his name again... Ginger-something? Gingerbright, maybe. I thought he was pretty nice- did he do something to prove otherwise..?"

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

HAH! yes, Gingerbrave and his little entourage traveled with you … and kept INTERFERING with my PLANS, infuriating little BRATS. but that is HARDLY important now~! :)

[vanilly-not-found]

"Gingerbrave, yes that was it-!.. Oh. That's, hm... are you sure they meant to interfere? Maybe there was some sort of misunderstanding..

Anyway! I was just on my way to the market. Would you like to join me?"

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

oh there was EVERY intention of interfering, him and his friends made that ABUNDANTLY clear

hahah! that does sound QUITE fun! sure, i’ll join you :)

[vanilly-not-found]

"I'll try to talk to them later, and see what they have to say about it..

Lovely, let's go then!" He smiled

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

hah! they’ll claim they “had to” and were “saving you from me” … overdramatic PESTS

*he smiles back at him*

[vanilly-not-found]

"'Saving?' Haha! I wouldn't have needed saving! Perhaps they had good intentions, but were just a bit.. misguided?"

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

yes! it was QUITE silly of them! i had NO intention to cause any harm! all we did was play some games and they made SUCH a big deal out of it. and their intentions did nothing to change the fact that their actions were annoying

[vanilly-not-found]

"I'm sorry they did that...! I'll explain things to them, and make sure it doesn't happen again! Okay?"

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

oh that would be AWFULLY NICE of you, Nilly! i would GREATLY appreciate it :)

[vanilly-not-found]

"Hmmm, did I have a nickname for you in return? And, of course, I'm happy to help!"

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

hmmmm. you weren’t much for nicknames … of course you are, always so compassionate

[vanilly-not-found]

"..That does make sense, now that I think about it.. Yes, I do my best to keep that up! I've heard it was one of my defining characteristics, really!"

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

… i suppose it does! haha! :)

oh it REALLY is! sometimes gets a bit annoying about it. ANYWAY! i am oh so GLAD you have such WONDERFUL friends who have been helping you remember so much …

[vanilly-not-found]

"Haha, yes! I.. have no idea where I would be right now, without them to guide me.... I do wish they had told me about you, but I understand that this whole situation is a bit strange in and of itself!"

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

if i was one to guess i would say a lonely amnesiac wandering the country with no hope of EVER remembering a THING about who you were. oh it’s probably for the best, i DOUBT i have the BEST reputation among your friends, i have done some … not great things … in the past

[vanilly-not-found]

"Oh, that's.. a little bleak. I like to think that maybe someone kind would've given me a place to live, food, a job, even.... well, there's no need to linger on that, thankfully!

Really? Ah- may I ask what sort of things? If you feel comfortable discussing it, that is."

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

*he laughs for … WAY too long at that comment*

cookies are not NEARLY as kind as you like to think they are~! what a silly, naive, belief you have, such a silly silly cookie, Silly Vanilly! they would have turned their backs on the strange cookie wandering around talking nonsense about not remembering anything about who he is. paranoia, suspicion, and selfishness are MUCH more common motives than compassion

… yes! … … i tried to fight the witches for one thing

[vanilly-not-found]

He did look a bit upset at that

"Maybe not all cookies would be so compassionate, that is true- but surely, somewhere on Crispia, there would have been someone to lend me aid. I don't think that's a naive, or silly thought to have. Why- really, if you think about it- isn't that what happened? My friends cared enough to find me when I was gone for so long! And I think they would have helped me, even if they hadn't known me before! They're good cookies.

...The- the witches!? That's-..!"

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

oh there probably are other foolish cookies out there who would have ignored the potential danger of allowing a strange cookie into their home, but almost certainly to make themselves look like a selfless little saint! friends helping friends is a special case, really. almost everyone else has ulterior motives when it comes to acts of kindness

yes, the Witches. it did NOT go well for my friends and I, but in my defense those fiends deserved it

[vanilly-not-found]

"You don't think very well of others, do you? I mean I'm sure there is a reason for that, but I really, really doubt that the majority of cookies are how you describe! If they were, there would be hardly any reason to give back to communities, to- to help one another..

I can imagine!"

...

"I guess I can't really imagine, on second thought, um... I'm sorry that it didn't go well?"

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

i’m only telling the truth, my boy. doubt it all you want but it will NEVER change that fact. cookies use other cookies for their own gain and no other reason apart from in VERY special circumstances. tis a harsh truth to swallow, but isn’t it better than suffering under a false hope of selflessness that will never exist?

…

you don’t sound particularly sorry, Vanilla Paste Cookie. but that IS understandable, i suppose. not every day you meet someone who says they’ve tried to fight against the “gods”

[vanilly-not-found]

"I'm sorry, I- thought you said you knew who I was, that we lived together-? I don't think Pure Vanilla would agree with what you're saying, and neither do I! It simply isn't true. At least to me. Please respect my thoughts on it.

...Well.. yes, it is sort of hard to take in! I don't really know what else to say about that..."

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

i know almost EVERYTHING there is to know about Pure Vanilla Cookie. and we did live together for a bit. oh yes the both of you have always been such silly cookies, believing in a world where that is NOT the truth. hahah. so your thoughts on this deserve respect while mine get thrown away as lies, hmmm?

… fair enough …

[vanilly-not-found]

He was quiet for awhile .....

"No. You... you do have a point. Maybe I am being a bit silly not to at least.. consider what you're saying on the matter. It's... just... hard to hear, with who I'm supposed to be, and how he felt about that, but I'm not trying to call you a liar. Really, you might be correct! But it's not my place to disagree with Pure Vanilla Cookie, you know..?

....At least you're still alive and well after such a fight!"

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

*he grins at him, revealing sharp teeth*

HA HA HA HA HA HA!! that you are, that you are! but with how you’re “supposed to be” i can CERTAINLY see how you MIGHT have got the idea i was lying about it. though i must say, i am EVER so curious, do you WANT to go back to who you were? or do you want to be your own individual?

… … well. well i am well. hahah. … it … was NOT much of a fight. i think all we managed to accomplish was bite one of them

[vanilly-not-found]

He flinched back, startled by his sharp teeth

"...All- that I want, is to be who I was again. And I will be. It will happen, I know it will. Until then, I'm just.. biding my time. ...When that time comes- think of the parades. The feasts! Oh, it will be spectacular...!

.....More than I would be able to do, more likely than not, hah.."

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

heheheh! awful lot of repetition for something you’re so SURE about. makes it seem more like you’re trying to convince yourself it’s what you want. hahah! y’know what? you could PROBABLY convince them to have big feasts and parades WITHOUT actually being who you were

… … huh … that is. a good point, actually

[vanilly-not-found]

"Pardon-? I'm- very certain it's what I want, actually! It's about the only thing I've been sure of this entire time. And yes, I could probably start a parade or festival or- whatever if I really wanted to, but right now, there's nothing to celebrate. The return of Pure Vanilla Cookie is sure to be a HUGE celebration!"

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA!! but SHOULD you want that? really, SHOULD you? is it SERIOUSLY in YOUR BEST INTEREST to return to being THAT overly compassionate cookie? whatever identity you have carved for yourself up until now would be completely and irrevecably DESTROYED by that situation. HE HE HE HE HE HE HE! oh trust me on this, as someone who knows the guy better than his half-baked, halfacookie friends, his return does not warrant a “huge celebration”

[vanilly-not-found]

"What awful things to say to me! I really AM starting to think you never knew Pure Vanilla Cookie. And if you did, you CERTAINLY weren't his FRIEND! I'm very HONORED that I was him, and I hope I am again as soon as possible! You- you're acting as though I haven't thought about what will happen to me, but believe me, I have. And I accepted from the beginning that I wouldn't be here forever, and that's okay, because sure, I might make a few new friends who will miss me- he has an entire kingdom's worth, and probably even more than that! He has done more for Earthbread than you and I ever will, and I hope when he's back that he remembers this conversation, because maybe he could teach you some RESPECT."

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

ohhhhhh, so you ARE capable of anger! how very INTRIGUING! all i’m doing is telling you the TRUTH, though~! i can HARDLY be blamed for how HARSH it is! hmmmmm, did i ever say he was my “friend”? sure, he OFFERED it once, and SURE i DID invite him back to live with me again. an invitation he accepted, i should note. but i’m getting a LITTLE off topic there. you are SERIOUSLY wanting to ABANDON everything you have made of yourself for THAT old fool!? ever heard that poem about people without enemies? the fool never did a THING with his life. HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA!! OHHHHH you surely must be JESTING, you silly cookie, i must say you REALLY should leave THAT to the professionals. i wrote EVERY book of knowledge there is on this world and started the Blueberry Yogurt Academy. i have done SO MUCH MORE than he could ever hope to accomplish

[vanilly-not-found]

"All of this is hurting my head, and now I'm more convinced than ever that you're a liar. Starting the Blueberry Yogurt Academy.. at least has a chance of being true. 'Every book of knowledge'? That's impossible! ....Hah.. haha-... sorry, it's just.. if Pure Vanilla Cookie really did accept the invitation from you, perhaps you're right to call him a fool. He did so much good, and you can't even acknowledge that. I don't like being angry at someone, I don't, but you're making it so difficult right now.

..No. No, I'm not going to be angry anymore. That's what you were looking for, isn't it? A reaction from me? Well, I only wish that you leave me alone, from now on. We- can go our separate ways, and it will allll be fine.."

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

HA HA HA HA HA HA! oh it did take oh so LONG to write them, and some of them i dictated. MOST of them i used pseudonyms for. so if you’ve ever read a book by Blueberry Yogurt Cookie, Blueberry Milk Cookie, Lady in Azure, or the Fount of Knowledge *he says that last title more like it’s an insult than a name* than you have read something by ME! heh. heheheheh! i only acknowledge what actually happened~! and the biggest thing he accomplished was to STEAL FROM ME!

ohhh i am not LOOKING for anything~! i ONLY wanted to have a nice chat with someone! :)

[vanilly-not-found]

"....I can't say that I know those names, but that might just be on me. III don't read very high-level books. But what I do know is that Pure Vanilla Cookie was no thief! Stealing would be going against- everything he believed in, really! I know he wouldn't do that. You really think you can trick me, huh? Haha-! No!" So proud of himself

"As if! I, am being targeted, and I have been since the start of this conversation. I can see through it all, now!"

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

HAH! well THAT explains why you’re so foolish! read a book sometime, you’d enjoy it. i’m surprised that infuriating PEST White Lily Cookie never told you that. HA HA HA HA! NOT A THIEF? SERIOUSLY? NOT. A THIEF? HE HE HE HE! then where did he get that Soul Jam you wear? like it EVER could have belonged to YOU! or him while we’re on THAT topic

oho! you think you’re SOOOOO clever, hmmm? it’s sorta pitiful, really.

buuuut it doesn’t really matter in the grand scheme of things, give it a few eons and every cookie will forget your name, doesn’t matter how much you do~! well unless you do something beastly, heh!, that is

[vanilly-not-found]

"I do read books! They may not be as advanced as yours, but that doesn't make me foolish! I.. didn't retain a lot of knowledge from Pure Vanilla Cookie. ..First him, then Gingerbrave- now White Lily Cookie? Do you have something against everyone I know and care about?

......The Soul Jam was earned by Pure Vanilla Cookie, from the Witches. That's all I know. I wasn't told a thing about him being a thief, and I still refuse to believe it!

I'm pitiful? You are the one that turned this nice conversatio- I need to calm down. This.. isn't worth getting so riled up about...

I don't mind if they forget my name, it isn't like I've done something that should be remembered. But.. while my friends and Pure Vanilla Cookie are remembered, it will be in a good light! Even if they're forgotten about one day, that's okay, because they were thought of fondly before that. Being known for something 'beastly..' maybe you'll be remembered longer, but is it even worth it if everyone thinks you were a terrible, good-for-nothing cookie?"

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

hmmm, what books do you read? … uhh, well the cheesey one is pretty funny, the drunkard seems fun, and the other one … sorta want to try to make him laugh to see if he’s actually serious about the whole “doesn’t know how to laugh” thing. and White Lily Cookie. she’s the sort of cookie i WOULD have liked. IIIIF she hadn’t been one of the ones trying to SEAL me back into that ACCURSED TREE.

oh, of course. the witches steal from us and actually bother testing our “replacements” … … … ANYWAY! does NOT change the fact that he has HALF OF SOMETHING THAT BELONGS TO ME

*he leans forward slightly, hands clasped behind his back and head tilted incredibly far to one side*

i’m the one who ruined this conversation? heh!! wow, way to shift the blame there, mister “i can only talk about how WONDERFUL Pure Vanilla Cookie was” :D

… that was more a thinly veiled complaint about cookie’s strange fascination with truly monstrous deeds. see, i could have a thousand lectures in front of a hundred schools teaching the importance of eating vegetables to the local children, OR i could kidnap one of the kids from that class for NOT eating their vegetables and then the story of THAT act will be passed down from generation to generation amd those children are more likely to eat their vegetables. is this making any sense to you or do i need to explain it more?

[vanilly-not-found]

"You- don't need to know about my reading interests! ..Wait, seal you into a tree? You just keep saying things that make NO sense...

If the Witches stole it from you, then how is that Pure Vanilla Cookie's fault? He proved himself to be deserving of it! Did you?"

..

"And you keep talking about how he isn't! I'm not going to just- let you do that! If I can help it, which I can't, really, but.. I can try!

......I know what you're trying to say, and I know how I feel about it..... but I can't think of a good counter-argument. Um. I mean.. your example isn't wrong. But maybe the lectures could have been better, so that the kids were inspired to eat their vegetables, instead of needing to be threatened..?" Not so proud of himself now, hm?

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

sure i don't NEED to, but i can still be CURIOUS, hmm? hahah! did she "forget" to mention ANYTHING about Beast Yeast to you? i think you may need to have a little chat with White Lily Cookie after this

counterpoint: i was baked for the SOLE PURPOSE of wielding the Soul Jam's FULL POWER, so how could i NOT be deserving of it?

...

i'm only still talking about how he isn't because you won't stop talking about how he is~!

HAH! oh i didn't just THREATEN them, i actually kidnapped MULTIPLE children because of this. it has proven itself to be INCREDIBLY effective so far. far more effective than any of my lessons have ever been.

[vanilly-not-found]

"I'm not going to tell you about that. Um. I know that White Lily Cookie's kingdom is in Beast Yeast.. that's really it. ..But she must have a reason for not telling me certain things, and that's okay!

Did you.. fulfill that purpose, though?

Well-!......

I probably did go on about him too much, didn't I? Witches, I should really stop doing that.. although you could have dropped the subject, instead of arguing back with me and being negative.

WHAT?! That's- no! Are- they- okay now..?"

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

why not? … hmmm. so you don’t know a THING about ANYTHING that happened there to you and your friends? HE HE HE HE! she took this as an opportunity to hide some … “unpleasant” memories from you, didn’t she?

i served that purpose for longer than you OR Pure Vanilla Cookie have been alive. i was baked when Earthbread itself was still cooling from the oven, after all. HA HA HA HA! :)

you PROBABLY should. maybe get some opinions of your own for once. this amnesia is a WONDERFUL opportunity for you, i must say. weeellll. i could have dropped it. but that wouldn’t have been as fun

yeah yeah i returned them to their parents after a couple of hours. they’re FINE

[vanilly-not-found]

"Okay, I admit that they're- a bit low-level. But I still enjoy them! ..If she did, there must have been a reason for it. She'll tell me when I'm ready.

Even so- something must have happened to get some of your power taken. It's liiike... if an employee is really good and hard-working for a few years, but then they start slacking. Their employer would probably fire them regardless of if they did a good job before.

These are my own opinions! .....When the other Ancients first found me, they gave me the option to- to- not, stay here. They weren't happy to, of course, but they still told me that I could leave, if I wanted to. But I didn't want to, and I still don't.

That's.. good, I suppose? ..It must have been a frightening experience for them.."

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

… if you tell me you’ve been reading picture books i don’t think i’ll ever stop laughing at you. what if she decides you’ll never be ready and NEVER tells you all of your memories? :)

first off, ALL i did was start asking questions, which APPARENTLY they don’t like their puppets doing. secondly, employees are chosen from a group of other applicants for being the best suited choice for the job, NOT BAKED WITH NO OTHER PURPOSE IN THEIR LIFE

how nice of them. really my … colleagues. would never do such a thing for each other.

it would not have had the same effect if they weren’t scared. but i never did anything to cause permanent harm to them

[vanilly-not-found]

"No, no! Not that low-level, Witches no! And she doesn't have to tell me. I'll know everything, once I get my memories back.

Maybe that wasn't the best analogy. I don't know why I'm talking about this, I wasn't there, I know practically nothing about the Witches-..... May I ask- what was your purpose? Was it only to hold the Soul Jam?

..Oh? I'm.. sorry. About that.

I still don't agree with such a method, of course, but I am glad that they weren't harmed too badly."

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

aha! so you’ve moved on to learning sentences books, i see. … fair enough

… … … i was given the Soul Jam almost immediately out of the oven … it gave me near infinite knowledge. i could see the past, present, and future of any cookie who came to me. i could answer any question, no matter the subject or difficulty. THAT was my purpose.

… HA HA HA! WHY ARE YOU SORRY? you’ve never met them, you never had anything to do with them.

i tend to AVOID hurting children unless they’re INSUFFERABLY infuriating

[vanilly-not-found]

"I woke up still able to read, you know! And, maybe if I wanted to I could try reading studies, or essays.. but they aren't very interesting to me, honestly.

...That... sounds... incredible! But- very demanding."

His eyes widened. "Wait, does that mean- could you see this conversation was going to happen? Oh! Can you see my future? Will I ever get my memories back?

Even so, I can still be sorry that they aren't more.. supportive.

So- you have hurt children before....?"

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

HAHAHAHAH! i’m only teasing you about this. i know you can read :)

… it was.

i did not look at my own future much, i only ever saw glimpses, that i failed to avoid. hmmmm, it isn’t QUITE as reliable as it used to be…but i could try looking if you want me to

… … hahahah. and there you go. being SO compassionate again …

i don’t think it should count if they were prevented from hitting the ground, or if the damage was TECHNICALLY caused by a game piece

[vanilly-not-found]

"Oh!.. I couldn't really tell, haha..

No, no, don't look. I think- I would rather not know my future, on second thought. I'm certain of the answer, anyway, looking isn't necessary..!

.....I- would you rather I not be?

..A game piece? How could a game piece damage someone?"

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

i’ll take THAT as a compliment to my acting skills! :)

alright! i won’t look. well i won’t look and then tell you what i see

i would MUCH rather you not be

to be fair the children were about the same size as this game piece and it WAS attacking them

[vanilly-not-found]

"I suppose it is. ..How much of this conversation was an act, exactly?

No, please, don't look at all! If I don't know, then I don't think you should, either. Not that I could stop you, probably- but still..

Let me get this straight- you don't want me to be nice to you-?

Those were either very small children or very large game pieces..."

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

why THANK you!! HA HA HA HA! ohhhh now THAT is something for me to know and you to question for the rest of eternity :)

you are ABSOLUTELY right! you cannot stop me! from doing anything, really, bit ESPECIALLY this

nope! i do NOT want that! i know your friendliness isn’t genuine~!

twas magically created illusions! and shrunk down children.

[vanilly-not-found]

He sighed. "Okay then.

I would genuinely appreciate it if you didn't, though. Besides, you said it isn't as reliable as it used to be. ...Um, question: if you saw something really, really bad in my future- would you want to tell me? I'm not asking you to. I'm just curious what you would do..

......It is genuine. If it weren't, it would have gone away with my memories. Although- it might have diminished a bit. I got so angry earlier! That isn't meant to happen..!

Oh my. Very.... interesting?"

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

…

you would have NO way of knowing i did it unless i was RIGHT in front of you when i did. hmmmmm, it depends on whether or not telling you would have funnier consequences than NOT telling you

HA HA HA HA HA! it seems more like you act nice because that’s what you think Pure Vanilla Cookie was like…

ah. so it doesn’t sound familiar? doesn’t feel like something you should remember? you were there, you know. you saw it happen

[vanilly-not-found]

"...I should expect answers like that, really..

And if I wasn't nice, why would I care what he was like? How I present myself? Why would I eat when I should, and sleep when I should, and do whatever I'm supposed to do, so that he can come back, and not have lost- everything? I.. do have to work to be nicer, sometimes. But not often. Probably with you, mostly. Hm."

.......

"I'm getting the feeling that there was more to it all than just 'I lived with you for a bit.'"

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

you REALLY should

i don’t get why you CARE about any of that stuff in the FIRST PLACE. it makes NO SENSE at all. so those are all MARVELOUS questions, WHY DO YOU CARE?

…

hmmmmm yeah i THINK that was about it. APART from some playing games and suchlike

[vanilly-not-found]

"I know. I don't want to assume you'll always say something I don't like to hear, but I doubt it'll stop happening any time soon.

Well, I care because it's the right thing to do, and I want to do it! It.. it makes me feel good, I guess. Not that that's the only reason. I just mean.. I want to be a nice cookie, and make others happy. There isn't much of a motive behind it."

..

"Let me guess, did one of the 'games' involve- I don't know, hitting someone over the head, or something?"

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA!! you must believe me i do NOT make a habit of saying stuff you don’t approve of :)

*he does…*

ohhhh? and why is it the right thing to do? because you think it’s nice?

no, actually. the ONLY game that MAY have caused brain damage was the Yogurt River, but i do not believe he got close enough to drowning for that to be an issue

[vanilly-not-found]

"I doubt that somehow..! That smile doesn't help. Neither does the laughing-.. which is likely the point, okay...

I don't know. It's sort of hard to translate into words that are factually correct, when it's moreso how I feel. It's just- how I am!

A near-drowning, of course. ..Who was it that could have been hurt?"

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

you take everything MUCH too seriously if a little laughter and smiling is enough to get you THIS suspicious of someone

“just how i am”. hmmmm, rather INTERESTING reasoning to arrive at “this is the right choice” for, presumably, everyone

it was NOT near…Pure Vanilla got out of the river LONG before “near-drowning” could be a concern

[vanilly-not-found]

"But it's how you did it! It wasn't in a very friendly way. Which I don't need to explain.

Well.. I do think everyone should try to be nice, yes. That would solve so many problems in the world. Actually, what reasonable argument is there against that?

..Pure Vanilla!? You- for a game- was he able to swim? Beforehand, did you know if he could?"

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

i was being SO friendly. : )

who cares about REASON all of a sudden? HA HA HA HA!! it REALLY is NOT like kindness ever got me anywhere before. only going to try again if someone i happen to still like begs me to

HE HE HE HE! oh being able to swim does not make a difference in the river i had him go into! i ALMOST thought he would try to hold on to his precious truth until he drowned.

[vanilly-not-found]

"No, you weren't, you're just trying to annoy me again.

But maybe it can be different now! If you want it to be. ...I'm guessing I'm not one of those someones?

What? I don't understand. You- put him in a river, and was going to let him drown, unless he.. let go of some sort of truth?"

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

i would NEVER TRY to annoy ANYONE! :D

… you most CERTAINLY are NOT. it’s not a particularly long list to start with, and i do NOT intend to add you to it

what don’t you understand? you just summed it up PERFECTLY!

[vanilly-not-found]

"You're doing it right now, and I'm telling you, it isn't working. I am not upset.

.....Figured as much. ..It's probably good that I'm not on that list, I'm a bit concerned about what someone would need to do to actually be liked by you..

What truth did you want him to let go of so badly?"

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

i said i’d never try. never said anything about never succeeding at it :)

… there’s only eiiiiigghhhtttt? people on the list. sort of a variety of things, nothing too horrible

all of it :):):):))

[vanilly-not-found]

He loosely crossed his arms. "You aren't succeeding at it, either.

That's a surprise! That they didn't do too bad of things, I mean.

'All of it'?..... Pure Vanilla Cookie wouldn't do that. Of course he didn't. He knew the value of the truth. It isn't something- he could have just casted aside. He held the Light of Truth, for Witches' sake...!" .

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

oh! i’m not? :)

even more surprising for you would be that one of them is Pure Vanilla Cookie. not the one you used to be, of course, different one

yes yes ALLLL of it! and considering he did NOT drown in yogurt it seems SAFE to assume he did, at least temporarily ABANDON IT. HA HA HA!!

[vanilly-not-found]

"No, you're not. I'm really not annoyed at this point, just- confused, tired maybe?

...Oh..? Is he really that different from me?..

....How could you do such a thing to him..!? Doesn't it bother you at all? The fact that you can even laugh about that-!

I need to leave. White Lily Cookie is waiting for me back at the house. I wouldn't want to worry her more than I have to."

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

heheh! well i guess THAT is an acceptable end result, too!! :)

… hmmmmm … he’s pretty much a normal Pure Vanilla Cookie …

he he he heheheh! i had several reasons, BUUUT they don’t really matter anymore. and no, it does NOT bother me! :)

yes YES go RUNNING back to that infuriating little half cookie, haha!

[vanilly-not-found]

"Of course it is..

Does he know the things you've done? If he doesn't, you should tell him..

That's sick and twisted. ...I wanted to give you a chance at first, I did.. I'm sorry that I can't. Not sorry to you specifically, just in general.

...Actually, I'll stay, and explain to her later why I took so long out here. Wouldn't want to miss out on anymore 'fun' conversations."

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

tee hee!! :):)))))

but of COURSE he does! he WAS the victim to SOME of it, y’know

ohhhhhhh! FINALLY someone who has enough sense to know i have NO CHANCE of “redemption” or WHATEVE shit you people believe in

… hwhaaaaa??????

*don’t know HOW to describe his expression other than “wet cat”. so. he just stares at him like a confused wet cat*

you were just SO insistent on leaving what are you up to?

[vanilly-not-found]

"Well, I suppose that it's his decision if he wants to interact with you, then..

...I didn't say that. I just meant.. okay, I'll admit it- you do make me uncomfortable. The strange things you're talking about. Umm.. that doesn't mean that someone else can't try to help you! But I don't think that someone could be me. If anyone could even do that. Yeah...

You wanted me to go 'running back' to White Lily Cookie so badly, that I suppose I can stay here for longer. I don't know. I'm just being petty, I guess."

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

twas unexptected that he agreed to stay with me again. heheh!

… so delusional with those hopes of yours, just like him in that way … oh well i can tell you for CERTAIN that there is NO ONE who can help me! heheh!

egh. White Lily Cookie is BARELY half a cookie and her other half has done SO MUCH more useful things than she ever could

[vanilly-not-found]

"That is very unexpected. Hm. Why would he do that?

I think the word there is hopeful, not delusional. ....Maybe there is someone out there, and you just haven't met them yet. There is a chance, even if it's a low one.

..Her other half? ...This is another big thing the others have failed to tell me about, isn't it.."

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

i think he got a bad case of the “i can fix him”s last time he stayed here….

… you do NOT understand. there is no CHANCE at ALL. No “hope”…

… PFFFHAHAHAHAHAHHWHEEHHEHHHHHHG!!! THEY DIDN’T TELL YOU ABOUT DARK ENCHANTRESS COOKIE????

[vanilly-not-found]

"Oh. That does make sense.

You don't know that, though! I mean, unless you looked at your own future- but you said yourself that it wasn't always reliable.

............." Yeahhh that was a no

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

… … he’s a weird little guy

i haven’t looked at my future … but … … i have good reason for believing this

*he GRINS much wider than it really looks like he should be able to, once again revealing his oddly sharp teeth*

do you WANT me to tell you about her?

[vanilly-not-found]

"Aren't we all, hah..

Then what are those reasons?"

!!

"..I-.. if.. if it's something I need to know.. Then I guess so...? Although, since it's something to do with White Lily Cookie, she should be the one to tell me.."

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

hahah! good point …

… … … … so … hypothetical question … if someone were to take away half your soul and half your powers, would it be sensible to assume that the part of soul you had left was irreversibly corrupted amd you had no chance of ever getting better?

…

ohhhhh it IS something you need to know. and since she hasn’t told you yet do you really think she’ll tell you now?

[vanilly-not-found]

"Well, hypothetically-.. maybe the soul left could be uncorrupted somehow..? Or reunited with the part that was taken? If taking half of the soul was possible in the first place, ways to fix it probably exist, too. Hypothetically."

..

He took a deep breath. "Fine. No. She... probably won't. Tell me, about Dark Enchantress Cookie.."

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

… i tried getting back the other half of the Soul Jam.. didn’t get it … ohhhhh and it MOST certainly is possible to take away half a soul. it’s also possible to take away the WHOLE THING if you REALLLY want to

…

Dark Enchantress Cookie started the Dark Flour War, devoted to the cause of burning all cookies to ash to avoid their appointed fate of the Witches’ Banquet! she also made nice new bodies for my friends and myself and, most IMPORTANTLY of all, used to be WHITE LILY COOKIE

*why. why does he look so happy about this?*

[vanilly-not-found]

He looked at Shadow Milk's Soul Jam, then back at his own, but didn't comment on it

"What was in the half that was taken from you?

A. War. There- was a war.. and she wanted to crumble everyone.... Except you and some other cookies, for some reason...... but- if she's White Lily Cookie-....!

I'm living with someone who started a WAR!?"

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

half my soul. and half of my power. :))

yes yess there was! ohhh she thinks that the war will go better for her if she has the Beast cookies aiding her. so she gave us shiny new bodies!! :D

HA HA HA HA HA HAVHA HA HAVHAHAHAHAHH!! YES YOU ARE!! HE HE HE HE HE HE HEVHE!

[vanilly-not-found]

"Half of your power makes more sense than half of your soul, how do you split a soul in half..?

Beast Cookies.. you're a Beast Cookie. ...I am speaking to a Beast Cookie. Witches help me this is awful. ..You. Aren't actually going to help her, are you!? Even if she gave you a new body. Since you needed one, apparently.

.....She.... has a lot to explain to me. Do- you think I'm in danger, being near her? ..Has she been hiding this from me so that I don't turn against her and try to prevent this war breaking out again? Oh Witches, are my other friends in on this...?"

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

i … don’t know …

the witches are the ones who didn’t even TRY to help my friends and i when we started to corrupt. they for ABSOLUTELY certain will not help you. hmmmm, i have YET to make a concrete decision either way. on the one hand, i would PREFER staying in my Spire and cause chaos from afar, but on the other she DID make these new bodies…

HEHEHEHEHH YOU’RE ASKING ME!? HAHAHAHAHAHAHHHHHHH! oh ho ho HAHEHEHEHH now THAT is HILARIOUS, a REAL showstopper, let me tell you.

[vanilly-not-found]

"Hm....

So they could have prevented it, but they didn't. ..I hope you decide not to help her. Besides, if she wants to burn everyone- who would you cause chaos towards?

I don't know that I was asking you. Maybe I was. I don't know anymore. I think all of this is way over my head and I hate it. I do know I shouldn't believe a word you're saying.. but at the same time, I'm not sure if I can even trust my friends......"

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

…

i knoowwwwwwww. but it does seem like i should AT LEAST temporarily help her … then again the life force extractor i helped her make MIIGHT have been enough

hmmmm, so, seems you’re whole life, your friends, possibly even YOURSELF, has been a lie? how does that make you feel? any regrets? HAHAHA!

[vanilly-not-found]

"The. What. Please. Please tell me that's not what it sounds like it is!

I did the best with the information I was given, and I'll continue to do so.. I just need to.. reflect, on all of this. Probably talk to the other Ancients about it. ..If you were expecting me to give up like Pure Vanilla Cookie did, you are mistaken."

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

the Life Extractor. it is MOST CERTAINLY exactly what it sounds like.

you need to get a LOT better at gathering information, then! and DEFINITELY talk to those other Ancients.

[vanilly-not-found]

"Why would you give her that. WHY would you GIVE her THAT!?

It's not like I have any sources of information besides the Ancients. And I guess you. ..Neither seem very reliable now."

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

in exchange for the new bodies she made! also the SCREAMS totally made it worth it! :)

*… it is impossible to tell if he’s joking or not*

HA HA HA HA HA HA!! how UTTERLY unfortunate for you!! HE HE HE HE HE! you really should find yourself some more reliable sources

[vanilly-not-found]

"..........

I'm done with you, I'm done with this conversation. No more. Okay?

I don't need sources, it's fine. My friends will explain to me what's gone on."

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

awwww but we were JUST getting to such a FUN TOPIC. :(

i doubt they willlll~!

[vanilly-not-found]

"It isn't fun, it's evil. I'm not talking about death, and war, and dangerous games. Especially since you seem to- enjoy them.

Then I guess I'll have to wait until I get my memories back. Fine by me."

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA!!! how do you know it’s those i take pleasure in and not your discomfort?

that may never happennnnn!!

[vanilly-not-found]

"It doesn't matter which one it is, both reasons are bad.

Yes, it will happen. I know it will, and you can deny that all you want, or call me crazy, but I know."

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

then to be clear … it’s both reasons! HAHA! ohhhhh, there are oh SO many stories i could tell you of the stuff that i have done. alll cookies just LOOOVE a little beastly (HE HE HE HE) entertainment, amirite?

you are SO RIGHT. you have LOST YOUR MIND. HA HA HA HA HA HAHHHHHH!!

[vanilly-not-found]

"You aren't right. And I don't care to hear more stories about how you caused suffering for others.

Actually, it sounds like you're the one who lost their mind, not me. My mind is pretty intact. Ironically."

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

ohhhhhhhhhhhh but i AM right! HA HA HA! you’ll understand someday, i’ll make sure of that! :D

weeelllll losing something implies i HAD it in the first place, so i will HAVE to insist that i did NOT lose my mind!

[vanilly-not-found]

"..Excuse me? How do you plan to make me understand? What, are you going to throw me into a river, too-?

You're right about that. My mistake. .. I wonder what Pure Vanilla Cookie will think about all of this. Sorry to bring him up again, I know it's annoying. I don't- really care, though. So um."

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

the river was VERY effective! also he went in willingly, i never forced anyone, for the record.

welllllllll i could always drag mine here to see his reaction….

[vanilly-not-found]

"I don't buy that someone would choose to do that. No.

......Oh? That-.. would make this conversation worth it...!"

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

ohhhh but he DID!! :)

… yes … just a minute …

*he rips open a portal next to where he floats and just shoves his head inside it to talk to someone on the other side of it for a bit before he pops back out with Pure Vanilla Cookie coming out soon after*

[vanilly-not-found]

"Suree.."

.

.

!

He gasped.

"Pure Vanilla Cookie.....!? Wow! It's... lovely to meet you!" His hands shook slightly

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

tis what happened~

…

oh, hello! Shadow Milk Cookie told me a little about you, it’s lovely to meet you as well

[vanilly-not-found]

"Hello! I never thought I would get this opportunity to speak with you! Well, with one of you, I guess-! ..There's so much I've wanted to say if this ever happened and yet III can't recall what any of it is, hah.."

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

hehe! i’m sure you’ll remember what you wanted to say soon

no, i think he MIIIGHT be a —

Shadow Milk Cookie … please … TRY to behave

…

he’s been tormenting you, hasn’t he?

[vanilly-not-found]

"I'm sure I will!"

.

..

...

"Just a liittle bit.. haha...."

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

*Pure Vanilla glances at Shadow Milk, looking rather disappointed, the other pretends not to notice the glance*

i’m sorry about him. he agreed to try to be better. but i think he only tries around people he likes … i’ll have to talk to him about that later

[vanilly-not-found]

He looked between them

"Oh, no! No, there's no need to apologize. Though, a talk would probably be for the best. ..He told me so many- strange things.."

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

he is a very peculiar cookie, so i have no doubt he has said some ... odd things. ... it also seems very likely that it was said with the sole purpose of tormenting you, which does require an apology, and i know he won't give one

[vanilly-not-found]

"Well, thank you, that's very kind. ...Though, is he always like this?"

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

*Shadow Milk is just. glaring between these two, very annoyed at the direction this conversation is heading*

he reminds me a lot of a sheep separated from its flock for too long, scared and lonely and not knowing how to react to being close to others again apart from lashing out against them. he is dangerous, there is no doubt about that, but i have no doubt that given enough time, he could get better.

I am NOT one of your sheep, Nilly

...

... ... baaaa :)

*Shadow Milk GLARES at him, very annoyed*

... ... ... ... baaa

[vanilly-not-found]

"I- I didn't think of it like that! Wow.. I think I understand now."

...

"HAHAHAHAHA-!"

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

i am glad to have helped in some way :)

*Shadow Milk is glaring back at Vanilla Paste now*

IT WASN'T FUNNY

[vanilly-not-found]

"You certainly have!

...Haha.....!

You're right! You're right! .. Ha.."

[vanilly-not-found]

hello!! i happen to know who you used to be QUITE well! if you have any questions your friends have not answered yet i could help :)

@master-of-puppets-and-shadows

"You do? I'm.. afraid I'm not sure who I'm speaking with, exactly, but.. I do appreciate the kind offer!"

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

of course!! :)

oh yes, introductions are QUITE important! i am Shadow Milk Cookie!

[vanilly-not-found]

"It's nice to meet you, Shadow Milk Cookie! Oh, that name does sound familiar! I'm- well, I suppose you already know, don't you..."

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

it is nice to meet you again!! i would CERTAINLY hope my name sounds familiar, you DID temporarily live with me for a bit…

[vanilly-not-found]

"I- did....? I'm sorry, my friends never told me about that..."

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

HAHAH! what an INTERESTING little detail for them to CONVENIENTLY forget to tell you about!! yes! you did! we used to play chess together fairly often. :)

[vanilly-not-found]

"We played chess? It looks like a bit of a complicated game! ...Could you teach me how to play again?"

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

but of COURSE we did! oh i would be COMPLETELY willing to teach you again!

[vanilly-not-found]

"Thank you, haha! I really do learn something new about myself every day.."

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

you’re welcome!! heh heh! well i am QUITE PLEASED to have HELPED you learn more, Silly Vanilly :)

[vanilly-not-found]

"Hahaha-! 'Silly Vanilly?' Is that an actual thing you've called me before??"

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

ha ha ha ha!! yes it is! oh we had SUCH fun together, Nilly! even if those kids you had with you were INFURIATING to deal with

[vanilly-not-found]

"Oh, I think you mean-.. what was his name again... Ginger-something? Gingerbright, maybe. I thought he was pretty nice- did he do something to prove otherwise..?"

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

HAH! yes, Gingerbrave and his little entourage traveled with you … and kept INTERFERING with my PLANS, infuriating little BRATS. but that is HARDLY important now~! :)

[vanilly-not-found]

"Gingerbrave, yes that was it-!.. Oh. That's, hm... are you sure they meant to interfere? Maybe there was some sort of misunderstanding..

Anyway! I was just on my way to the market. Would you like to join me?"

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

oh there was EVERY intention of interfering, him and his friends made that ABUNDANTLY clear

hahah! that does sound QUITE fun! sure, i’ll join you :)

[vanilly-not-found]

"I'll try to talk to them later, and see what they have to say about it..

Lovely, let's go then!" He smiled

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

hah! they’ll claim they “had to” and were “saving you from me” … overdramatic PESTS

*he smiles back at him*

[vanilly-not-found]

"'Saving?' Haha! I wouldn't have needed saving! Perhaps they had good intentions, but were just a bit.. misguided?"

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

yes! it was QUITE silly of them! i had NO intention to cause any harm! all we did was play some games and they made SUCH a big deal out of it. and their intentions did nothing to change the fact that their actions were annoying

[vanilly-not-found]

"I'm sorry they did that...! I'll explain things to them, and make sure it doesn't happen again! Okay?"

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

oh that would be AWFULLY NICE of you, Nilly! i would GREATLY appreciate it :)

[vanilly-not-found]

"Hmmm, did I have a nickname for you in return? And, of course, I'm happy to help!"

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

hmmmm. you weren’t much for nicknames … of course you are, always so compassionate

[vanilly-not-found]

"..That does make sense, now that I think about it.. Yes, I do my best to keep that up! I've heard it was one of my defining characteristics, really!"

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

… i suppose it does! haha! :)

oh it REALLY is! sometimes gets a bit annoying about it. ANYWAY! i am oh so GLAD you have such WONDERFUL friends who have been helping you remember so much …

[vanilly-not-found]

"Haha, yes! I.. have no idea where I would be right now, without them to guide me.... I do wish they had told me about you, but I understand that this whole situation is a bit strange in and of itself!"

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

if i was one to guess i would say a lonely amnesiac wandering the country with no hope of EVER remembering a THING about who you were. oh it’s probably for the best, i DOUBT i have the BEST reputation among your friends, i have done some … not great things … in the past

[vanilly-not-found]

"Oh, that's.. a little bleak. I like to think that maybe someone kind would've given me a place to live, food, a job, even.... well, there's no need to linger on that, thankfully!

Really? Ah- may I ask what sort of things? If you feel comfortable discussing it, that is."

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

*he laughs for … WAY too long at that comment*

cookies are not NEARLY as kind as you like to think they are~! what a silly, naive, belief you have, such a silly silly cookie, Silly Vanilly! they would have turned their backs on the strange cookie wandering around talking nonsense about not remembering anything about who he is. paranoia, suspicion, and selfishness are MUCH more common motives than compassion

… yes! … … i tried to fight the witches for one thing

[vanilly-not-found]

He did look a bit upset at that

"Maybe not all cookies would be so compassionate, that is true- but surely, somewhere on Crispia, there would have been someone to lend me aid. I don't think that's a naive, or silly thought to have. Why- really, if you think about it- isn't that what happened? My friends cared enough to find me when I was gone for so long! And I think they would have helped me, even if they hadn't known me before! They're good cookies.

...The- the witches!? That's-..!"

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

oh there probably are other foolish cookies out there who would have ignored the potential danger of allowing a strange cookie into their home, but almost certainly to make themselves look like a selfless little saint! friends helping friends is a special case, really. almost everyone else has ulterior motives when it comes to acts of kindness

yes, the Witches. it did NOT go well for my friends and I, but in my defense those fiends deserved it

[vanilly-not-found]

"You don't think very well of others, do you? I mean I'm sure there is a reason for that, but I really, really doubt that the majority of cookies are how you describe! If they were, there would be hardly any reason to give back to communities, to- to help one another..

I can imagine!"

...

"I guess I can't really imagine, on second thought, um... I'm sorry that it didn't go well?"

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

i’m only telling the truth, my boy. doubt it all you want but it will NEVER change that fact. cookies use other cookies for their own gain and no other reason apart from in VERY special circumstances. tis a harsh truth to swallow, but isn’t it better than suffering under a false hope of selflessness that will never exist?

…

you don’t sound particularly sorry, Vanilla Paste Cookie. but that IS understandable, i suppose. not every day you meet someone who says they’ve tried to fight against the “gods”

[vanilly-not-found]

"I'm sorry, I- thought you said you knew who I was, that we lived together-? I don't think Pure Vanilla would agree with what you're saying, and neither do I! It simply isn't true. At least to me. Please respect my thoughts on it.

...Well.. yes, it is sort of hard to take in! I don't really know what else to say about that..."

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

i know almost EVERYTHING there is to know about Pure Vanilla Cookie. and we did live together for a bit. oh yes the both of you have always been such silly cookies, believing in a world where that is NOT the truth. hahah. so your thoughts on this deserve respect while mine get thrown away as lies, hmmm?

… fair enough …

[vanilly-not-found]

He was quiet for awhile .....

"No. You... you do have a point. Maybe I am being a bit silly not to at least.. consider what you're saying on the matter. It's... just... hard to hear, with who I'm supposed to be, and how he felt about that, but I'm not trying to call you a liar. Really, you might be correct! But it's not my place to disagree with Pure Vanilla Cookie, you know..?

....At least you're still alive and well after such a fight!"

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

*he grins at him, revealing sharp teeth*

HA HA HA HA HA HA!! that you are, that you are! but with how you’re “supposed to be” i can CERTAINLY see how you MIGHT have got the idea i was lying about it. though i must say, i am EVER so curious, do you WANT to go back to who you were? or do you want to be your own individual?

… … well. well i am well. hahah. … it … was NOT much of a fight. i think all we managed to accomplish was bite one of them

[vanilly-not-found]

He flinched back, startled by his sharp teeth

"...All- that I want, is to be who I was again. And I will be. It will happen, I know it will. Until then, I'm just.. biding my time. ...When that time comes- think of the parades. The feasts! Oh, it will be spectacular...!

.....More than I would be able to do, more likely than not, hah.."

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

heheheh! awful lot of repetition for something you’re so SURE about. makes it seem more like you’re trying to convince yourself it’s what you want. hahah! y’know what? you could PROBABLY convince them to have big feasts and parades WITHOUT actually being who you were

… … huh … that is. a good point, actually

[vanilly-not-found]

"Pardon-? I'm- very certain it's what I want, actually! It's about the only thing I've been sure of this entire time. And yes, I could probably start a parade or festival or- whatever if I really wanted to, but right now, there's nothing to celebrate. The return of Pure Vanilla Cookie is sure to be a HUGE celebration!"

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA!! but SHOULD you want that? really, SHOULD you? is it SERIOUSLY in YOUR BEST INTEREST to return to being THAT overly compassionate cookie? whatever identity you have carved for yourself up until now would be completely and irrevecably DESTROYED by that situation. HE HE HE HE HE HE HE! oh trust me on this, as someone who knows the guy better than his half-baked, halfacookie friends, his return does not warrant a “huge celebration”

[vanilly-not-found]

"What awful things to say to me! I really AM starting to think you never knew Pure Vanilla Cookie. And if you did, you CERTAINLY weren't his FRIEND! I'm very HONORED that I was him, and I hope I am again as soon as possible! You- you're acting as though I haven't thought about what will happen to me, but believe me, I have. And I accepted from the beginning that I wouldn't be here forever, and that's okay, because sure, I might make a few new friends who will miss me- he has an entire kingdom's worth, and probably even more than that! He has done more for Earthbread than you and I ever will, and I hope when he's back that he remembers this conversation, because maybe he could teach you some RESPECT."

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

ohhhhhh, so you ARE capable of anger! how very INTRIGUING! all i’m doing is telling you the TRUTH, though~! i can HARDLY be blamed for how HARSH it is! hmmmmm, did i ever say he was my “friend”? sure, he OFFERED it once, and SURE i DID invite him back to live with me again. an invitation he accepted, i should note. but i’m getting a LITTLE off topic there. you are SERIOUSLY wanting to ABANDON everything you have made of yourself for THAT old fool!? ever heard that poem about people without enemies? the fool never did a THING with his life. HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA!! OHHHHH you surely must be JESTING, you silly cookie, i must say you REALLY should leave THAT to the professionals. i wrote EVERY book of knowledge there is on this world and started the Blueberry Yogurt Academy. i have done SO MUCH MORE than he could ever hope to accomplish

[vanilly-not-found]

"All of this is hurting my head, and now I'm more convinced than ever that you're a liar. Starting the Blueberry Yogurt Academy.. at least has a chance of being true. 'Every book of knowledge'? That's impossible! ....Hah.. haha-... sorry, it's just.. if Pure Vanilla Cookie really did accept the invitation from you, perhaps you're right to call him a fool. He did so much good, and you can't even acknowledge that. I don't like being angry at someone, I don't, but you're making it so difficult right now.

..No. No, I'm not going to be angry anymore. That's what you were looking for, isn't it? A reaction from me? Well, I only wish that you leave me alone, from now on. We- can go our separate ways, and it will allll be fine.."

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

HA HA HA HA HA HA! oh it did take oh so LONG to write them, and some of them i dictated. MOST of them i used pseudonyms for. so if you’ve ever read a book by Blueberry Yogurt Cookie, Blueberry Milk Cookie, Lady in Azure, or the Fount of Knowledge *he says that last title more like it’s an insult than a name* than you have read something by ME! heh. heheheheh! i only acknowledge what actually happened~! and the biggest thing he accomplished was to STEAL FROM ME!

ohhh i am not LOOKING for anything~! i ONLY wanted to have a nice chat with someone! :)

[vanilly-not-found]

"....I can't say that I know those names, but that might just be on me. III don't read very high-level books. But what I do know is that Pure Vanilla Cookie was no thief! Stealing would be going against- everything he believed in, really! I know he wouldn't do that. You really think you can trick me, huh? Haha-! No!" So proud of himself

"As if! I, am being targeted, and I have been since the start of this conversation. I can see through it all, now!"

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

HAH! well THAT explains why you’re so foolish! read a book sometime, you’d enjoy it. i’m surprised that infuriating PEST White Lily Cookie never told you that. HA HA HA HA! NOT A THIEF? SERIOUSLY? NOT. A THIEF? HE HE HE HE! then where did he get that Soul Jam you wear? like it EVER could have belonged to YOU! or him while we’re on THAT topic

oho! you think you’re SOOOOO clever, hmmm? it’s sorta pitiful, really.

buuuut it doesn’t really matter in the grand scheme of things, give it a few eons and every cookie will forget your name, doesn’t matter how much you do~! well unless you do something beastly, heh!, that is

[vanilly-not-found]

"I do read books! They may not be as advanced as yours, but that doesn't make me foolish! I.. didn't retain a lot of knowledge from Pure Vanilla Cookie. ..First him, then Gingerbrave- now White Lily Cookie? Do you have something against everyone I know and care about?

......The Soul Jam was earned by Pure Vanilla Cookie, from the Witches. That's all I know. I wasn't told a thing about him being a thief, and I still refuse to believe it!

I'm pitiful? You are the one that turned this nice conversatio- I need to calm down. This.. isn't worth getting so riled up about...

I don't mind if they forget my name, it isn't like I've done something that should be remembered. But.. while my friends and Pure Vanilla Cookie are remembered, it will be in a good light! Even if they're forgotten about one day, that's okay, because they were thought of fondly before that. Being known for something 'beastly..' maybe you'll be remembered longer, but is it even worth it if everyone thinks you were a terrible, good-for-nothing cookie?"

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

hmmm, what books do you read? … uhh, well the cheesey one is pretty funny, the drunkard seems fun, and the other one … sorta want to try to make him laugh to see if he’s actually serious about the whole “doesn’t know how to laugh” thing. and White Lily Cookie. she’s the sort of cookie i WOULD have liked. IIIIF she hadn’t been one of the ones trying to SEAL me back into that ACCURSED TREE.

oh, of course. the witches steal from us and actually bother testing our “replacements” … … … ANYWAY! does NOT change the fact that he has HALF OF SOMETHING THAT BELONGS TO ME

*he leans forward slightly, hands clasped behind his back and head tilted incredibly far to one side*

i’m the one who ruined this conversation? heh!! wow, way to shift the blame there, mister “i can only talk about how WONDERFUL Pure Vanilla Cookie was” :D

… that was more a thinly veiled complaint about cookie’s strange fascination with truly monstrous deeds. see, i could have a thousand lectures in front of a hundred schools teaching the importance of eating vegetables to the local children, OR i could kidnap one of the kids from that class for NOT eating their vegetables and then the story of THAT act will be passed down from generation to generation amd those children are more likely to eat their vegetables. is this making any sense to you or do i need to explain it more?

[vanilly-not-found]

"You- don't need to know about my reading interests! ..Wait, seal you into a tree? You just keep saying things that make NO sense...

If the Witches stole it from you, then how is that Pure Vanilla Cookie's fault? He proved himself to be deserving of it! Did you?"

..

"And you keep talking about how he isn't! I'm not going to just- let you do that! If I can help it, which I can't, really, but.. I can try!

......I know what you're trying to say, and I know how I feel about it..... but I can't think of a good counter-argument. Um. I mean.. your example isn't wrong. But maybe the lectures could have been better, so that the kids were inspired to eat their vegetables, instead of needing to be threatened..?" Not so proud of himself now, hm?

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

sure i don't NEED to, but i can still be CURIOUS, hmm? hahah! did she "forget" to mention ANYTHING about Beast Yeast to you? i think you may need to have a little chat with White Lily Cookie after this

counterpoint: i was baked for the SOLE PURPOSE of wielding the Soul Jam's FULL POWER, so how could i NOT be deserving of it?

...

i'm only still talking about how he isn't because you won't stop talking about how he is~!

HAH! oh i didn't just THREATEN them, i actually kidnapped MULTIPLE children because of this. it has proven itself to be INCREDIBLY effective so far. far more effective than any of my lessons have ever been.

[vanilly-not-found]

"I'm not going to tell you about that. Um. I know that White Lily Cookie's kingdom is in Beast Yeast.. that's really it. ..But she must have a reason for not telling me certain things, and that's okay!

Did you.. fulfill that purpose, though?

Well-!......

I probably did go on about him too much, didn't I? Witches, I should really stop doing that.. although you could have dropped the subject, instead of arguing back with me and being negative.

WHAT?! That's- no! Are- they- okay now..?"

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

why not? … hmmm. so you don’t know a THING about ANYTHING that happened there to you and your friends? HE HE HE HE! she took this as an opportunity to hide some … “unpleasant” memories from you, didn’t she?

i served that purpose for longer than you OR Pure Vanilla Cookie have been alive. i was baked when Earthbread itself was still cooling from the oven, after all. HA HA HA HA! :)

you PROBABLY should. maybe get some opinions of your own for once. this amnesia is a WONDERFUL opportunity for you, i must say. weeellll. i could have dropped it. but that wouldn’t have been as fun

yeah yeah i returned them to their parents after a couple of hours. they’re FINE

[vanilly-not-found]

"Okay, I admit that they're- a bit low-level. But I still enjoy them! ..If she did, there must have been a reason for it. She'll tell me when I'm ready.

Even so- something must have happened to get some of your power taken. It's liiike... if an employee is really good and hard-working for a few years, but then they start slacking. Their employer would probably fire them regardless of if they did a good job before.

These are my own opinions! .....When the other Ancients first found me, they gave me the option to- to- not, stay here. They weren't happy to, of course, but they still told me that I could leave, if I wanted to. But I didn't want to, and I still don't.

That's.. good, I suppose? ..It must have been a frightening experience for them.."

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

… if you tell me you’ve been reading picture books i don’t think i’ll ever stop laughing at you. what if she decides you’ll never be ready and NEVER tells you all of your memories? :)

first off, ALL i did was start asking questions, which APPARENTLY they don’t like their puppets doing. secondly, employees are chosen from a group of other applicants for being the best suited choice for the job, NOT BAKED WITH NO OTHER PURPOSE IN THEIR LIFE

how nice of them. really my … colleagues. would never do such a thing for each other.

it would not have had the same effect if they weren’t scared. but i never did anything to cause permanent harm to them

[vanilly-not-found]

"No, no! Not that low-level, Witches no! And she doesn't have to tell me. I'll know everything, once I get my memories back.

Maybe that wasn't the best analogy. I don't know why I'm talking about this, I wasn't there, I know practically nothing about the Witches-..... May I ask- what was your purpose? Was it only to hold the Soul Jam?

..Oh? I'm.. sorry. About that.

I still don't agree with such a method, of course, but I am glad that they weren't harmed too badly."

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

aha! so you’ve moved on to learning sentences books, i see. … fair enough

… … … i was given the Soul Jam almost immediately out of the oven … it gave me near infinite knowledge. i could see the past, present, and future of any cookie who came to me. i could answer any question, no matter the subject or difficulty. THAT was my purpose.

… HA HA HA! WHY ARE YOU SORRY? you’ve never met them, you never had anything to do with them.

i tend to AVOID hurting children unless they’re INSUFFERABLY infuriating

[vanilly-not-found]

"I woke up still able to read, you know! And, maybe if I wanted to I could try reading studies, or essays.. but they aren't very interesting to me, honestly.

...That... sounds... incredible! But- very demanding."

His eyes widened. "Wait, does that mean- could you see this conversation was going to happen? Oh! Can you see my future? Will I ever get my memories back?

Even so, I can still be sorry that they aren't more.. supportive.

So- you have hurt children before....?"

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

HAHAHAHAH! i’m only teasing you about this. i know you can read :)

… it was.

i did not look at my own future much, i only ever saw glimpses, that i failed to avoid. hmmmm, it isn’t QUITE as reliable as it used to be…but i could try looking if you want me to

… … hahahah. and there you go. being SO compassionate again …

i don’t think it should count if they were prevented from hitting the ground, or if the damage was TECHNICALLY caused by a game piece

[vanilly-not-found]

"Oh!.. I couldn't really tell, haha..

No, no, don't look. I think- I would rather not know my future, on second thought. I'm certain of the answer, anyway, looking isn't necessary..!

.....I- would you rather I not be?

..A game piece? How could a game piece damage someone?"

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

i’ll take THAT as a compliment to my acting skills! :)

alright! i won’t look. well i won’t look and then tell you what i see

i would MUCH rather you not be

to be fair the children were about the same size as this game piece and it WAS attacking them

[vanilly-not-found]

"I suppose it is. ..How much of this conversation was an act, exactly?

No, please, don't look at all! If I don't know, then I don't think you should, either. Not that I could stop you, probably- but still..

Let me get this straight- you don't want me to be nice to you-?

Those were either very small children or very large game pieces..."

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

why THANK you!! HA HA HA HA! ohhhh now THAT is something for me to know and you to question for the rest of eternity :)

you are ABSOLUTELY right! you cannot stop me! from doing anything, really, bit ESPECIALLY this

nope! i do NOT want that! i know your friendliness isn’t genuine~!

twas magically created illusions! and shrunk down children.

[vanilly-not-found]

He sighed. "Okay then.

I would genuinely appreciate it if you didn't, though. Besides, you said it isn't as reliable as it used to be. ...Um, question: if you saw something really, really bad in my future- would you want to tell me? I'm not asking you to. I'm just curious what you would do..

......It is genuine. If it weren't, it would have gone away with my memories. Although- it might have diminished a bit. I got so angry earlier! That isn't meant to happen..!

Oh my. Very.... interesting?"

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

…

you would have NO way of knowing i did it unless i was RIGHT in front of you when i did. hmmmmm, it depends on whether or not telling you would have funnier consequences than NOT telling you

HA HA HA HA HA! it seems more like you act nice because that’s what you think Pure Vanilla Cookie was like…

ah. so it doesn’t sound familiar? doesn’t feel like something you should remember? you were there, you know. you saw it happen

[vanilly-not-found]

"...I should expect answers like that, really..

And if I wasn't nice, why would I care what he was like? How I present myself? Why would I eat when I should, and sleep when I should, and do whatever I'm supposed to do, so that he can come back, and not have lost- everything? I.. do have to work to be nicer, sometimes. But not often. Probably with you, mostly. Hm."

.......

"I'm getting the feeling that there was more to it all than just 'I lived with you for a bit.'"

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

you REALLY should

i don’t get why you CARE about any of that stuff in the FIRST PLACE. it makes NO SENSE at all. so those are all MARVELOUS questions, WHY DO YOU CARE?

…

hmmmmm yeah i THINK that was about it. APART from some playing games and suchlike

[vanilly-not-found]

"I know. I don't want to assume you'll always say something I don't like to hear, but I doubt it'll stop happening any time soon.

Well, I care because it's the right thing to do, and I want to do it! It.. it makes me feel good, I guess. Not that that's the only reason. I just mean.. I want to be a nice cookie, and make others happy. There isn't much of a motive behind it."

..

"Let me guess, did one of the 'games' involve- I don't know, hitting someone over the head, or something?"

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA!! you must believe me i do NOT make a habit of saying stuff you don’t approve of :)

*he does…*

ohhhh? and why is it the right thing to do? because you think it’s nice?

no, actually. the ONLY game that MAY have caused brain damage was the Yogurt River, but i do not believe he got close enough to drowning for that to be an issue

[vanilly-not-found]

"I doubt that somehow..! That smile doesn't help. Neither does the laughing-.. which is likely the point, okay...

I don't know. It's sort of hard to translate into words that are factually correct, when it's moreso how I feel. It's just- how I am!

A near-drowning, of course. ..Who was it that could have been hurt?"

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

you take everything MUCH too seriously if a little laughter and smiling is enough to get you THIS suspicious of someone

“just how i am”. hmmmm, rather INTERESTING reasoning to arrive at “this is the right choice” for, presumably, everyone

it was NOT near…Pure Vanilla got out of the river LONG before “near-drowning” could be a concern

[vanilly-not-found]

"But it's how you did it! It wasn't in a very friendly way. Which I don't need to explain.

Well.. I do think everyone should try to be nice, yes. That would solve so many problems in the world. Actually, what reasonable argument is there against that?

..Pure Vanilla!? You- for a game- was he able to swim? Beforehand, did you know if he could?"

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

i was being SO friendly. : )

who cares about REASON all of a sudden? HA HA HA HA!! it REALLY is NOT like kindness ever got me anywhere before. only going to try again if someone i happen to still like begs me to

HE HE HE HE! oh being able to swim does not make a difference in the river i had him go into! i ALMOST thought he would try to hold on to his precious truth until he drowned.

[vanilly-not-found]

"No, you weren't, you're just trying to annoy me again.

But maybe it can be different now! If you want it to be. ...I'm guessing I'm not one of those someones?

What? I don't understand. You- put him in a river, and was going to let him drown, unless he.. let go of some sort of truth?"

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

i would NEVER TRY to annoy ANYONE! :D

… you most CERTAINLY are NOT. it’s not a particularly long list to start with, and i do NOT intend to add you to it

what don’t you understand? you just summed it up PERFECTLY!

[vanilly-not-found]

"You're doing it right now, and I'm telling you, it isn't working. I am not upset.

.....Figured as much. ..It's probably good that I'm not on that list, I'm a bit concerned about what someone would need to do to actually be liked by you..

What truth did you want him to let go of so badly?"

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

i said i’d never try. never said anything about never succeeding at it :)

… there’s only eiiiiigghhhtttt? people on the list. sort of a variety of things, nothing too horrible

all of it :):):):))

[vanilly-not-found]

He loosely crossed his arms. "You aren't succeeding at it, either.

That's a surprise! That they didn't do too bad of things, I mean.

'All of it'?..... Pure Vanilla Cookie wouldn't do that. Of course he didn't. He knew the value of the truth. It isn't something- he could have just casted aside. He held the Light of Truth, for Witches' sake...!" .

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

oh! i’m not? :)

even more surprising for you would be that one of them is Pure Vanilla Cookie. not the one you used to be, of course, different one

yes yes ALLLL of it! and considering he did NOT drown in yogurt it seems SAFE to assume he did, at least temporarily ABANDON IT. HA HA HA!!

[vanilly-not-found]

"No, you're not. I'm really not annoyed at this point, just- confused, tired maybe?

...Oh..? Is he really that different from me?..

....How could you do such a thing to him..!? Doesn't it bother you at all? The fact that you can even laugh about that-!

I need to leave. White Lily Cookie is waiting for me back at the house. I wouldn't want to worry her more than I have to."

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

heheh! well i guess THAT is an acceptable end result, too!! :)

… hmmmmm … he’s pretty much a normal Pure Vanilla Cookie …

he he he heheheh! i had several reasons, BUUUT they don’t really matter anymore. and no, it does NOT bother me! :)

yes YES go RUNNING back to that infuriating little half cookie, haha!

[vanilly-not-found]

"Of course it is..

Does he know the things you've done? If he doesn't, you should tell him..

That's sick and twisted. ...I wanted to give you a chance at first, I did.. I'm sorry that I can't. Not sorry to you specifically, just in general.

...Actually, I'll stay, and explain to her later why I took so long out here. Wouldn't want to miss out on anymore 'fun' conversations."

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

tee hee!! :):)))))

but of COURSE he does! he WAS the victim to SOME of it, y’know

ohhhhhhh! FINALLY someone who has enough sense to know i have NO CHANCE of “redemption” or WHATEVE shit you people believe in

… hwhaaaaa??????

*don’t know HOW to describe his expression other than “wet cat”. so. he just stares at him like a confused wet cat*

you were just SO insistent on leaving what are you up to?

[vanilly-not-found]

"Well, I suppose that it's his decision if he wants to interact with you, then..

...I didn't say that. I just meant.. okay, I'll admit it- you do make me uncomfortable. The strange things you're talking about. Umm.. that doesn't mean that someone else can't try to help you! But I don't think that someone could be me. If anyone could even do that. Yeah...

You wanted me to go 'running back' to White Lily Cookie so badly, that I suppose I can stay here for longer. I don't know. I'm just being petty, I guess."

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

twas unexptected that he agreed to stay with me again. heheh!

… so delusional with those hopes of yours, just like him in that way … oh well i can tell you for CERTAIN that there is NO ONE who can help me! heheh!

egh. White Lily Cookie is BARELY half a cookie and her other half has done SO MUCH more useful things than she ever could

[vanilly-not-found]

"That is very unexpected. Hm. Why would he do that?

I think the word there is hopeful, not delusional. ....Maybe there is someone out there, and you just haven't met them yet. There is a chance, even if it's a low one.

..Her other half? ...This is another big thing the others have failed to tell me about, isn't it.."

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

i think he got a bad case of the “i can fix him”s last time he stayed here….

… you do NOT understand. there is no CHANCE at ALL. No “hope”…

… PFFFHAHAHAHAHAHHWHEEHHEHHHHHHG!!! THEY DIDN’T TELL YOU ABOUT DARK ENCHANTRESS COOKIE????

[vanilly-not-found]

"Oh. That does make sense.

You don't know that, though! I mean, unless you looked at your own future- but you said yourself that it wasn't always reliable.

............." Yeahhh that was a no

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

… … he’s a weird little guy

i haven’t looked at my future … but … … i have good reason for believing this

*he GRINS much wider than it really looks like he should be able to, once again revealing his oddly sharp teeth*

do you WANT me to tell you about her?

[vanilly-not-found]

"Aren't we all, hah..

Then what are those reasons?"

!!

"..I-.. if.. if it's something I need to know.. Then I guess so...? Although, since it's something to do with White Lily Cookie, she should be the one to tell me.."

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

hahah! good point …

… … … … so … hypothetical question … if someone were to take away half your soul and half your powers, would it be sensible to assume that the part of soul you had left was irreversibly corrupted amd you had no chance of ever getting better?

…

ohhhhh it IS something you need to know. and since she hasn’t told you yet do you really think she’ll tell you now?

[vanilly-not-found]

"Well, hypothetically-.. maybe the soul left could be uncorrupted somehow..? Or reunited with the part that was taken? If taking half of the soul was possible in the first place, ways to fix it probably exist, too. Hypothetically."

..

He took a deep breath. "Fine. No. She... probably won't. Tell me, about Dark Enchantress Cookie.."

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

… i tried getting back the other half of the Soul Jam.. didn’t get it … ohhhhh and it MOST certainly is possible to take away half a soul. it’s also possible to take away the WHOLE THING if you REALLLY want to

…

Dark Enchantress Cookie started the Dark Flour War, devoted to the cause of burning all cookies to ash to avoid their appointed fate of the Witches’ Banquet! she also made nice new bodies for my friends and myself and, most IMPORTANTLY of all, used to be WHITE LILY COOKIE

*why. why does he look so happy about this?*

[vanilly-not-found]

He looked at Shadow Milk's Soul Jam, then back at his own, but didn't comment on it

"What was in the half that was taken from you?

A. War. There- was a war.. and she wanted to crumble everyone.... Except you and some other cookies, for some reason...... but- if she's White Lily Cookie-....!

I'm living with someone who started a WAR!?"

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

half my soul. and half of my power. :))

yes yess there was! ohhh she thinks that the war will go better for her if she has the Beast cookies aiding her. so she gave us shiny new bodies!! :D

HA HA HA HA HA HAVHA HA HAVHAHAHAHAHH!! YES YOU ARE!! HE HE HE HE HE HE HEVHE!

[vanilly-not-found]

"Half of your power makes more sense than half of your soul, how do you split a soul in half..?

Beast Cookies.. you're a Beast Cookie. ...I am speaking to a Beast Cookie. Witches help me this is awful. ..You. Aren't actually going to help her, are you!? Even if she gave you a new body. Since you needed one, apparently.

.....She.... has a lot to explain to me. Do- you think I'm in danger, being near her? ..Has she been hiding this from me so that I don't turn against her and try to prevent this war breaking out again? Oh Witches, are my other friends in on this...?"

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

i … don’t know …

the witches are the ones who didn’t even TRY to help my friends and i when we started to corrupt. they for ABSOLUTELY certain will not help you. hmmmm, i have YET to make a concrete decision either way. on the one hand, i would PREFER staying in my Spire and cause chaos from afar, but on the other she DID make these new bodies…

HEHEHEHEHH YOU’RE ASKING ME!? HAHAHAHAHAHAHHHHHHH! oh ho ho HAHEHEHEHH now THAT is HILARIOUS, a REAL showstopper, let me tell you.

[vanilly-not-found]

"Hm....

So they could have prevented it, but they didn't. ..I hope you decide not to help her. Besides, if she wants to burn everyone- who would you cause chaos towards?

I don't know that I was asking you. Maybe I was. I don't know anymore. I think all of this is way over my head and I hate it. I do know I shouldn't believe a word you're saying.. but at the same time, I'm not sure if I can even trust my friends......"

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

…

i knoowwwwwwww. but it does seem like i should AT LEAST temporarily help her … then again the life force extractor i helped her make MIIGHT have been enough

hmmmm, so, seems you’re whole life, your friends, possibly even YOURSELF, has been a lie? how does that make you feel? any regrets? HAHAHA!

[vanilly-not-found]

"The. What. Please. Please tell me that's not what it sounds like it is!

I did the best with the information I was given, and I'll continue to do so.. I just need to.. reflect, on all of this. Probably talk to the other Ancients about it. ..If you were expecting me to give up like Pure Vanilla Cookie did, you are mistaken."

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

the Life Extractor. it is MOST CERTAINLY exactly what it sounds like.

you need to get a LOT better at gathering information, then! and DEFINITELY talk to those other Ancients.

[vanilly-not-found]

"Why would you give her that. WHY would you GIVE her THAT!?

It's not like I have any sources of information besides the Ancients. And I guess you. ..Neither seem very reliable now."

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

in exchange for the new bodies she made! also the SCREAMS totally made it worth it! :)

*… it is impossible to tell if he’s joking or not*

HA HA HA HA HA HA!! how UTTERLY unfortunate for you!! HE HE HE HE HE! you really should find yourself some more reliable sources

[vanilly-not-found]

"..........

I'm done with you, I'm done with this conversation. No more. Okay?

I don't need sources, it's fine. My friends will explain to me what's gone on."

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

awwww but we were JUST getting to such a FUN TOPIC. :(

i doubt they willlll~!

[vanilly-not-found]

"It isn't fun, it's evil. I'm not talking about death, and war, and dangerous games. Especially since you seem to- enjoy them.

Then I guess I'll have to wait until I get my memories back. Fine by me."

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA!!! how do you know it’s those i take pleasure in and not your discomfort?

that may never happennnnn!!

[vanilly-not-found]

"It doesn't matter which one it is, both reasons are bad.

Yes, it will happen. I know it will, and you can deny that all you want, or call me crazy, but I know."

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

then to be clear … it’s both reasons! HAHA! ohhhhh, there are oh SO many stories i could tell you of the stuff that i have done. alll cookies just LOOOVE a little beastly (HE HE HE HE) entertainment, amirite?

you are SO RIGHT. you have LOST YOUR MIND. HA HA HA HA HA HAHHHHHH!!

[vanilly-not-found]

"You aren't right. And I don't care to hear more stories about how you caused suffering for others.

Actually, it sounds like you're the one who lost their mind, not me. My mind is pretty intact. Ironically."

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

ohhhhhhhhhhhh but i AM right! HA HA HA! you’ll understand someday, i’ll make sure of that! :D

weeelllll losing something implies i HAD it in the first place, so i will HAVE to insist that i did NOT lose my mind!

[vanilly-not-found]

"..Excuse me? How do you plan to make me understand? What, are you going to throw me into a river, too-?

You're right about that. My mistake. .. I wonder what Pure Vanilla Cookie will think about all of this. Sorry to bring him up again, I know it's annoying. I don't- really care, though. So um."

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

the river was VERY effective! also he went in willingly, i never forced anyone, for the record.

welllllllll i could always drag mine here to see his reaction….

[vanilly-not-found]

"I don't buy that someone would choose to do that. No.

......Oh? That-.. would make this conversation worth it...!"

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

ohhhh but he DID!! :)

… yes … just a minute …

*he rips open a portal next to where he floats and just shoves his head inside it to talk to someone on the other side of it for a bit before he pops back out with Pure Vanilla Cookie coming out soon after*

[vanilly-not-found]

"Suree.."

.

.

!

He gasped.

"Pure Vanilla Cookie.....!? Wow! It's... lovely to meet you!" His hands shook slightly

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

tis what happened~

…

oh, hello! Shadow Milk Cookie told me a little about you, it’s lovely to meet you as well

[vanilly-not-found]

"Hello! I never thought I would get this opportunity to speak with you! Well, with one of you, I guess-! ..There's so much I've wanted to say if this ever happened and yet III can't recall what any of it is, hah.."

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

hehe! i’m sure you’ll remember what you wanted to say soon

no, i think he MIIIGHT be a —

Shadow Milk Cookie … please … TRY to behave

…

he’s been tormenting you, hasn’t he?

[vanilly-not-found]

"I'm sure I will!"

.

..

...

"Just a liittle bit.. haha...."

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

*Pure Vanilla glances at Shadow Milk, looking rather disappointed, the other pretends not to notice the glance*

i’m sorry about him. he agreed to try to be better. but i think he only tries around people he likes … i’ll have to talk to him about that later

[vanilly-not-found]

He looked between them

"Oh, no! No, there's no need to apologize. Though, a talk would probably be for the best. ..He told me so many- strange things.."

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

he is a very peculiar cookie, so i have no doubt he has said some ... odd things. ... it also seems very likely that it was said with the sole purpose of tormenting you, which does require an apology, and i know he won't give one

[vanilly-not-found]

"Well, thank you, that's very kind. ...Though, is he always like this?"

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

*Shadow Milk is just. glaring between these two, very annoyed at the direction this conversation is heading*

he reminds me a lot of a sheep separated from its flock for too long, scared and lonely and not knowing how to react to being close to others again apart from lashing out against them. he is dangerous, there is no doubt about that, but i have no doubt that given enough time, he could get better.

I am NOT one of your sheep, Nilly

...

... ... baaaa :)

*Shadow Milk GLARES at him, very annoyed*

... ... ... ... baaa

[vanilly-not-found]

"I- I didn't think of it like that! Wow.. I think I understand now."

...

"HAHAHAHAHA-!"

[vanilly-not-found]

hello!! i happen to know who you used to be QUITE well! if you have any questions your friends have not answered yet i could help :)

@master-of-puppets-and-shadows

"You do? I'm.. afraid I'm not sure who I'm speaking with, exactly, but.. I do appreciate the kind offer!"

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

of course!! :)

oh yes, introductions are QUITE important! i am Shadow Milk Cookie!

[vanilly-not-found]

"It's nice to meet you, Shadow Milk Cookie! Oh, that name does sound familiar! I'm- well, I suppose you already know, don't you..."

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

it is nice to meet you again!! i would CERTAINLY hope my name sounds familiar, you DID temporarily live with me for a bit…

[vanilly-not-found]

"I- did....? I'm sorry, my friends never told me about that..."

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

HAHAH! what an INTERESTING little detail for them to CONVENIENTLY forget to tell you about!! yes! you did! we used to play chess together fairly often. :)

[vanilly-not-found]

"We played chess? It looks like a bit of a complicated game! ...Could you teach me how to play again?"

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

but of COURSE we did! oh i would be COMPLETELY willing to teach you again!

[vanilly-not-found]

"Thank you, haha! I really do learn something new about myself every day.."

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

you’re welcome!! heh heh! well i am QUITE PLEASED to have HELPED you learn more, Silly Vanilly :)

[vanilly-not-found]

"Hahaha-! 'Silly Vanilly?' Is that an actual thing you've called me before??"

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

ha ha ha ha!! yes it is! oh we had SUCH fun together, Nilly! even if those kids you had with you were INFURIATING to deal with

[vanilly-not-found]

"Oh, I think you mean-.. what was his name again... Ginger-something? Gingerbright, maybe. I thought he was pretty nice- did he do something to prove otherwise..?"

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

HAH! yes, Gingerbrave and his little entourage traveled with you … and kept INTERFERING with my PLANS, infuriating little BRATS. but that is HARDLY important now~! :)

[vanilly-not-found]

"Gingerbrave, yes that was it-!.. Oh. That's, hm... are you sure they meant to interfere? Maybe there was some sort of misunderstanding..

Anyway! I was just on my way to the market. Would you like to join me?"

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

oh there was EVERY intention of interfering, him and his friends made that ABUNDANTLY clear

hahah! that does sound QUITE fun! sure, i’ll join you :)

[vanilly-not-found]

"I'll try to talk to them later, and see what they have to say about it..

Lovely, let's go then!" He smiled

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

hah! they’ll claim they “had to” and were “saving you from me” … overdramatic PESTS

*he smiles back at him*

[vanilly-not-found]

"'Saving?' Haha! I wouldn't have needed saving! Perhaps they had good intentions, but were just a bit.. misguided?"

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

yes! it was QUITE silly of them! i had NO intention to cause any harm! all we did was play some games and they made SUCH a big deal out of it. and their intentions did nothing to change the fact that their actions were annoying

[vanilly-not-found]

"I'm sorry they did that...! I'll explain things to them, and make sure it doesn't happen again! Okay?"

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

oh that would be AWFULLY NICE of you, Nilly! i would GREATLY appreciate it :)

[vanilly-not-found]

"Hmmm, did I have a nickname for you in return? And, of course, I'm happy to help!"

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

hmmmm. you weren’t much for nicknames … of course you are, always so compassionate

[vanilly-not-found]

"..That does make sense, now that I think about it.. Yes, I do my best to keep that up! I've heard it was one of my defining characteristics, really!"

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

… i suppose it does! haha! :)

oh it REALLY is! sometimes gets a bit annoying about it. ANYWAY! i am oh so GLAD you have such WONDERFUL friends who have been helping you remember so much …

[vanilly-not-found]

"Haha, yes! I.. have no idea where I would be right now, without them to guide me.... I do wish they had told me about you, but I understand that this whole situation is a bit strange in and of itself!"

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

if i was one to guess i would say a lonely amnesiac wandering the country with no hope of EVER remembering a THING about who you were. oh it’s probably for the best, i DOUBT i have the BEST reputation among your friends, i have done some … not great things … in the past

[vanilly-not-found]

"Oh, that's.. a little bleak. I like to think that maybe someone kind would've given me a place to live, food, a job, even.... well, there's no need to linger on that, thankfully!

Really? Ah- may I ask what sort of things? If you feel comfortable discussing it, that is."

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

*he laughs for … WAY too long at that comment*

cookies are not NEARLY as kind as you like to think they are~! what a silly, naive, belief you have, such a silly silly cookie, Silly Vanilly! they would have turned their backs on the strange cookie wandering around talking nonsense about not remembering anything about who he is. paranoia, suspicion, and selfishness are MUCH more common motives than compassion

… yes! … … i tried to fight the witches for one thing

[vanilly-not-found]

He did look a bit upset at that

"Maybe not all cookies would be so compassionate, that is true- but surely, somewhere on Crispia, there would have been someone to lend me aid. I don't think that's a naive, or silly thought to have. Why- really, if you think about it- isn't that what happened? My friends cared enough to find me when I was gone for so long! And I think they would have helped me, even if they hadn't known me before! They're good cookies.

...The- the witches!? That's-..!"

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

oh there probably are other foolish cookies out there who would have ignored the potential danger of allowing a strange cookie into their home, but almost certainly to make themselves look like a selfless little saint! friends helping friends is a special case, really. almost everyone else has ulterior motives when it comes to acts of kindness

yes, the Witches. it did NOT go well for my friends and I, but in my defense those fiends deserved it

[vanilly-not-found]

"You don't think very well of others, do you? I mean I'm sure there is a reason for that, but I really, really doubt that the majority of cookies are how you describe! If they were, there would be hardly any reason to give back to communities, to- to help one another..

I can imagine!"

...

"I guess I can't really imagine, on second thought, um... I'm sorry that it didn't go well?"

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

i’m only telling the truth, my boy. doubt it all you want but it will NEVER change that fact. cookies use other cookies for their own gain and no other reason apart from in VERY special circumstances. tis a harsh truth to swallow, but isn’t it better than suffering under a false hope of selflessness that will never exist?

…

you don’t sound particularly sorry, Vanilla Paste Cookie. but that IS understandable, i suppose. not every day you meet someone who says they’ve tried to fight against the “gods”

[vanilly-not-found]

"I'm sorry, I- thought you said you knew who I was, that we lived together-? I don't think Pure Vanilla would agree with what you're saying, and neither do I! It simply isn't true. At least to me. Please respect my thoughts on it.

...Well.. yes, it is sort of hard to take in! I don't really know what else to say about that..."

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

i know almost EVERYTHING there is to know about Pure Vanilla Cookie. and we did live together for a bit. oh yes the both of you have always been such silly cookies, believing in a world where that is NOT the truth. hahah. so your thoughts on this deserve respect while mine get thrown away as lies, hmmm?

… fair enough …

[vanilly-not-found]

He was quiet for awhile .....

"No. You... you do have a point. Maybe I am being a bit silly not to at least.. consider what you're saying on the matter. It's... just... hard to hear, with who I'm supposed to be, and how he felt about that, but I'm not trying to call you a liar. Really, you might be correct! But it's not my place to disagree with Pure Vanilla Cookie, you know..?

....At least you're still alive and well after such a fight!"

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

*he grins at him, revealing sharp teeth*

HA HA HA HA HA HA!! that you are, that you are! but with how you’re “supposed to be” i can CERTAINLY see how you MIGHT have got the idea i was lying about it. though i must say, i am EVER so curious, do you WANT to go back to who you were? or do you want to be your own individual?

… … well. well i am well. hahah. … it … was NOT much of a fight. i think all we managed to accomplish was bite one of them

[vanilly-not-found]

He flinched back, startled by his sharp teeth

"...All- that I want, is to be who I was again. And I will be. It will happen, I know it will. Until then, I'm just.. biding my time. ...When that time comes- think of the parades. The feasts! Oh, it will be spectacular...!

.....More than I would be able to do, more likely than not, hah.."

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

heheheh! awful lot of repetition for something you’re so SURE about. makes it seem more like you’re trying to convince yourself it’s what you want. hahah! y’know what? you could PROBABLY convince them to have big feasts and parades WITHOUT actually being who you were

… … huh … that is. a good point, actually

[vanilly-not-found]

"Pardon-? I'm- very certain it's what I want, actually! It's about the only thing I've been sure of this entire time. And yes, I could probably start a parade or festival or- whatever if I really wanted to, but right now, there's nothing to celebrate. The return of Pure Vanilla Cookie is sure to be a HUGE celebration!"

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA!! but SHOULD you want that? really, SHOULD you? is it SERIOUSLY in YOUR BEST INTEREST to return to being THAT overly compassionate cookie? whatever identity you have carved for yourself up until now would be completely and irrevecably DESTROYED by that situation. HE HE HE HE HE HE HE! oh trust me on this, as someone who knows the guy better than his half-baked, halfacookie friends, his return does not warrant a “huge celebration”

[vanilly-not-found]

"What awful things to say to me! I really AM starting to think you never knew Pure Vanilla Cookie. And if you did, you CERTAINLY weren't his FRIEND! I'm very HONORED that I was him, and I hope I am again as soon as possible! You- you're acting as though I haven't thought about what will happen to me, but believe me, I have. And I accepted from the beginning that I wouldn't be here forever, and that's okay, because sure, I might make a few new friends who will miss me- he has an entire kingdom's worth, and probably even more than that! He has done more for Earthbread than you and I ever will, and I hope when he's back that he remembers this conversation, because maybe he could teach you some RESPECT."

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

ohhhhhh, so you ARE capable of anger! how very INTRIGUING! all i’m doing is telling you the TRUTH, though~! i can HARDLY be blamed for how HARSH it is! hmmmmm, did i ever say he was my “friend”? sure, he OFFERED it once, and SURE i DID invite him back to live with me again. an invitation he accepted, i should note. but i’m getting a LITTLE off topic there. you are SERIOUSLY wanting to ABANDON everything you have made of yourself for THAT old fool!? ever heard that poem about people without enemies? the fool never did a THING with his life. HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA!! OHHHHH you surely must be JESTING, you silly cookie, i must say you REALLY should leave THAT to the professionals. i wrote EVERY book of knowledge there is on this world and started the Blueberry Yogurt Academy. i have done SO MUCH MORE than he could ever hope to accomplish

[vanilly-not-found]

"All of this is hurting my head, and now I'm more convinced than ever that you're a liar. Starting the Blueberry Yogurt Academy.. at least has a chance of being true. 'Every book of knowledge'? That's impossible! ....Hah.. haha-... sorry, it's just.. if Pure Vanilla Cookie really did accept the invitation from you, perhaps you're right to call him a fool. He did so much good, and you can't even acknowledge that. I don't like being angry at someone, I don't, but you're making it so difficult right now.

..No. No, I'm not going to be angry anymore. That's what you were looking for, isn't it? A reaction from me? Well, I only wish that you leave me alone, from now on. We- can go our separate ways, and it will allll be fine.."

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

HA HA HA HA HA HA! oh it did take oh so LONG to write them, and some of them i dictated. MOST of them i used pseudonyms for. so if you’ve ever read a book by Blueberry Yogurt Cookie, Blueberry Milk Cookie, Lady in Azure, or the Fount of Knowledge *he says that last title more like it’s an insult than a name* than you have read something by ME! heh. heheheheh! i only acknowledge what actually happened~! and the biggest thing he accomplished was to STEAL FROM ME!

ohhh i am not LOOKING for anything~! i ONLY wanted to have a nice chat with someone! :)

[vanilly-not-found]

"....I can't say that I know those names, but that might just be on me. III don't read very high-level books. But what I do know is that Pure Vanilla Cookie was no thief! Stealing would be going against- everything he believed in, really! I know he wouldn't do that. You really think you can trick me, huh? Haha-! No!" So proud of himself

"As if! I, am being targeted, and I have been since the start of this conversation. I can see through it all, now!"

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

HAH! well THAT explains why you’re so foolish! read a book sometime, you’d enjoy it. i’m surprised that infuriating PEST White Lily Cookie never told you that. HA HA HA HA! NOT A THIEF? SERIOUSLY? NOT. A THIEF? HE HE HE HE! then where did he get that Soul Jam you wear? like it EVER could have belonged to YOU! or him while we’re on THAT topic

oho! you think you’re SOOOOO clever, hmmm? it’s sorta pitiful, really.

buuuut it doesn’t really matter in the grand scheme of things, give it a few eons and every cookie will forget your name, doesn’t matter how much you do~! well unless you do something beastly, heh!, that is

[vanilly-not-found]

"I do read books! They may not be as advanced as yours, but that doesn't make me foolish! I.. didn't retain a lot of knowledge from Pure Vanilla Cookie. ..First him, then Gingerbrave- now White Lily Cookie? Do you have something against everyone I know and care about?

......The Soul Jam was earned by Pure Vanilla Cookie, from the Witches. That's all I know. I wasn't told a thing about him being a thief, and I still refuse to believe it!

I'm pitiful? You are the one that turned this nice conversatio- I need to calm down. This.. isn't worth getting so riled up about...

I don't mind if they forget my name, it isn't like I've done something that should be remembered. But.. while my friends and Pure Vanilla Cookie are remembered, it will be in a good light! Even if they're forgotten about one day, that's okay, because they were thought of fondly before that. Being known for something 'beastly..' maybe you'll be remembered longer, but is it even worth it if everyone thinks you were a terrible, good-for-nothing cookie?"

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

hmmm, what books do you read? … uhh, well the cheesey one is pretty funny, the drunkard seems fun, and the other one … sorta want to try to make him laugh to see if he’s actually serious about the whole “doesn’t know how to laugh” thing. and White Lily Cookie. she’s the sort of cookie i WOULD have liked. IIIIF she hadn’t been one of the ones trying to SEAL me back into that ACCURSED TREE.

oh, of course. the witches steal from us and actually bother testing our “replacements” … … … ANYWAY! does NOT change the fact that he has HALF OF SOMETHING THAT BELONGS TO ME

*he leans forward slightly, hands clasped behind his back and head tilted incredibly far to one side*

i’m the one who ruined this conversation? heh!! wow, way to shift the blame there, mister “i can only talk about how WONDERFUL Pure Vanilla Cookie was” :D

… that was more a thinly veiled complaint about cookie’s strange fascination with truly monstrous deeds. see, i could have a thousand lectures in front of a hundred schools teaching the importance of eating vegetables to the local children, OR i could kidnap one of the kids from that class for NOT eating their vegetables and then the story of THAT act will be passed down from generation to generation amd those children are more likely to eat their vegetables. is this making any sense to you or do i need to explain it more?

[vanilly-not-found]

"You- don't need to know about my reading interests! ..Wait, seal you into a tree? You just keep saying things that make NO sense...

If the Witches stole it from you, then how is that Pure Vanilla Cookie's fault? He proved himself to be deserving of it! Did you?"

..

"And you keep talking about how he isn't! I'm not going to just- let you do that! If I can help it, which I can't, really, but.. I can try!

......I know what you're trying to say, and I know how I feel about it..... but I can't think of a good counter-argument. Um. I mean.. your example isn't wrong. But maybe the lectures could have been better, so that the kids were inspired to eat their vegetables, instead of needing to be threatened..?" Not so proud of himself now, hm?

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

sure i don't NEED to, but i can still be CURIOUS, hmm? hahah! did she "forget" to mention ANYTHING about Beast Yeast to you? i think you may need to have a little chat with White Lily Cookie after this

counterpoint: i was baked for the SOLE PURPOSE of wielding the Soul Jam's FULL POWER, so how could i NOT be deserving of it?

...

i'm only still talking about how he isn't because you won't stop talking about how he is~!

HAH! oh i didn't just THREATEN them, i actually kidnapped MULTIPLE children because of this. it has proven itself to be INCREDIBLY effective so far. far more effective than any of my lessons have ever been.

[vanilly-not-found]

"I'm not going to tell you about that. Um. I know that White Lily Cookie's kingdom is in Beast Yeast.. that's really it. ..But she must have a reason for not telling me certain things, and that's okay!

Did you.. fulfill that purpose, though?

Well-!......

I probably did go on about him too much, didn't I? Witches, I should really stop doing that.. although you could have dropped the subject, instead of arguing back with me and being negative.

WHAT?! That's- no! Are- they- okay now..?"

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

why not? … hmmm. so you don’t know a THING about ANYTHING that happened there to you and your friends? HE HE HE HE! she took this as an opportunity to hide some … “unpleasant” memories from you, didn’t she?

i served that purpose for longer than you OR Pure Vanilla Cookie have been alive. i was baked when Earthbread itself was still cooling from the oven, after all. HA HA HA HA! :)

you PROBABLY should. maybe get some opinions of your own for once. this amnesia is a WONDERFUL opportunity for you, i must say. weeellll. i could have dropped it. but that wouldn’t have been as fun

yeah yeah i returned them to their parents after a couple of hours. they’re FINE

[vanilly-not-found]

"Okay, I admit that they're- a bit low-level. But I still enjoy them! ..If she did, there must have been a reason for it. She'll tell me when I'm ready.

Even so- something must have happened to get some of your power taken. It's liiike... if an employee is really good and hard-working for a few years, but then they start slacking. Their employer would probably fire them regardless of if they did a good job before.

These are my own opinions! .....When the other Ancients first found me, they gave me the option to- to- not, stay here. They weren't happy to, of course, but they still told me that I could leave, if I wanted to. But I didn't want to, and I still don't.

That's.. good, I suppose? ..It must have been a frightening experience for them.."

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

… if you tell me you’ve been reading picture books i don’t think i’ll ever stop laughing at you. what if she decides you’ll never be ready and NEVER tells you all of your memories? :)

first off, ALL i did was start asking questions, which APPARENTLY they don’t like their puppets doing. secondly, employees are chosen from a group of other applicants for being the best suited choice for the job, NOT BAKED WITH NO OTHER PURPOSE IN THEIR LIFE

how nice of them. really my … colleagues. would never do such a thing for each other.

it would not have had the same effect if they weren’t scared. but i never did anything to cause permanent harm to them

[vanilly-not-found]

"No, no! Not that low-level, Witches no! And she doesn't have to tell me. I'll know everything, once I get my memories back.

Maybe that wasn't the best analogy. I don't know why I'm talking about this, I wasn't there, I know practically nothing about the Witches-..... May I ask- what was your purpose? Was it only to hold the Soul Jam?

..Oh? I'm.. sorry. About that.

I still don't agree with such a method, of course, but I am glad that they weren't harmed too badly."

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

aha! so you’ve moved on to learning sentences books, i see. … fair enough

… … … i was given the Soul Jam almost immediately out of the oven … it gave me near infinite knowledge. i could see the past, present, and future of any cookie who came to me. i could answer any question, no matter the subject or difficulty. THAT was my purpose.

… HA HA HA! WHY ARE YOU SORRY? you’ve never met them, you never had anything to do with them.

i tend to AVOID hurting children unless they’re INSUFFERABLY infuriating

[vanilly-not-found]

"I woke up still able to read, you know! And, maybe if I wanted to I could try reading studies, or essays.. but they aren't very interesting to me, honestly.

...That... sounds... incredible! But- very demanding."

His eyes widened. "Wait, does that mean- could you see this conversation was going to happen? Oh! Can you see my future? Will I ever get my memories back?

Even so, I can still be sorry that they aren't more.. supportive.

So- you have hurt children before....?"

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

HAHAHAHAH! i’m only teasing you about this. i know you can read :)

… it was.

i did not look at my own future much, i only ever saw glimpses, that i failed to avoid. hmmmm, it isn’t QUITE as reliable as it used to be…but i could try looking if you want me to

… … hahahah. and there you go. being SO compassionate again …

i don’t think it should count if they were prevented from hitting the ground, or if the damage was TECHNICALLY caused by a game piece

[vanilly-not-found]

"Oh!.. I couldn't really tell, haha..

No, no, don't look. I think- I would rather not know my future, on second thought. I'm certain of the answer, anyway, looking isn't necessary..!

.....I- would you rather I not be?

..A game piece? How could a game piece damage someone?"

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

i’ll take THAT as a compliment to my acting skills! :)

alright! i won’t look. well i won’t look and then tell you what i see

i would MUCH rather you not be

to be fair the children were about the same size as this game piece and it WAS attacking them

[vanilly-not-found]

"I suppose it is. ..How much of this conversation was an act, exactly?

No, please, don't look at all! If I don't know, then I don't think you should, either. Not that I could stop you, probably- but still..

Let me get this straight- you don't want me to be nice to you-?

Those were either very small children or very large game pieces..."

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

why THANK you!! HA HA HA HA! ohhhh now THAT is something for me to know and you to question for the rest of eternity :)

you are ABSOLUTELY right! you cannot stop me! from doing anything, really, bit ESPECIALLY this

nope! i do NOT want that! i know your friendliness isn’t genuine~!

twas magically created illusions! and shrunk down children.

[vanilly-not-found]

He sighed. "Okay then.

I would genuinely appreciate it if you didn't, though. Besides, you said it isn't as reliable as it used to be. ...Um, question: if you saw something really, really bad in my future- would you want to tell me? I'm not asking you to. I'm just curious what you would do..

......It is genuine. If it weren't, it would have gone away with my memories. Although- it might have diminished a bit. I got so angry earlier! That isn't meant to happen..!

Oh my. Very.... interesting?"

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

…

you would have NO way of knowing i did it unless i was RIGHT in front of you when i did. hmmmmm, it depends on whether or not telling you would have funnier consequences than NOT telling you

HA HA HA HA HA! it seems more like you act nice because that’s what you think Pure Vanilla Cookie was like…

ah. so it doesn’t sound familiar? doesn’t feel like something you should remember? you were there, you know. you saw it happen

[vanilly-not-found]

"...I should expect answers like that, really..

And if I wasn't nice, why would I care what he was like? How I present myself? Why would I eat when I should, and sleep when I should, and do whatever I'm supposed to do, so that he can come back, and not have lost- everything? I.. do have to work to be nicer, sometimes. But not often. Probably with you, mostly. Hm."

.......

"I'm getting the feeling that there was more to it all than just 'I lived with you for a bit.'"

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

you REALLY should

i don’t get why you CARE about any of that stuff in the FIRST PLACE. it makes NO SENSE at all. so those are all MARVELOUS questions, WHY DO YOU CARE?

…

hmmmmm yeah i THINK that was about it. APART from some playing games and suchlike

[vanilly-not-found]

"I know. I don't want to assume you'll always say something I don't like to hear, but I doubt it'll stop happening any time soon.

Well, I care because it's the right thing to do, and I want to do it! It.. it makes me feel good, I guess. Not that that's the only reason. I just mean.. I want to be a nice cookie, and make others happy. There isn't much of a motive behind it."

..

"Let me guess, did one of the 'games' involve- I don't know, hitting someone over the head, or something?"

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA!! you must believe me i do NOT make a habit of saying stuff you don’t approve of :)

*he does…*

ohhhh? and why is it the right thing to do? because you think it’s nice?

no, actually. the ONLY game that MAY have caused brain damage was the Yogurt River, but i do not believe he got close enough to drowning for that to be an issue

[vanilly-not-found]

"I doubt that somehow..! That smile doesn't help. Neither does the laughing-.. which is likely the point, okay...

I don't know. It's sort of hard to translate into words that are factually correct, when it's moreso how I feel. It's just- how I am!

A near-drowning, of course. ..Who was it that could have been hurt?"

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

you take everything MUCH too seriously if a little laughter and smiling is enough to get you THIS suspicious of someone

“just how i am”. hmmmm, rather INTERESTING reasoning to arrive at “this is the right choice” for, presumably, everyone

it was NOT near…Pure Vanilla got out of the river LONG before “near-drowning” could be a concern

[vanilly-not-found]

"But it's how you did it! It wasn't in a very friendly way. Which I don't need to explain.

Well.. I do think everyone should try to be nice, yes. That would solve so many problems in the world. Actually, what reasonable argument is there against that?

..Pure Vanilla!? You- for a game- was he able to swim? Beforehand, did you know if he could?"

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

i was being SO friendly. : )

who cares about REASON all of a sudden? HA HA HA HA!! it REALLY is NOT like kindness ever got me anywhere before. only going to try again if someone i happen to still like begs me to

HE HE HE HE! oh being able to swim does not make a difference in the river i had him go into! i ALMOST thought he would try to hold on to his precious truth until he drowned.

[vanilly-not-found]

"No, you weren't, you're just trying to annoy me again.

But maybe it can be different now! If you want it to be. ...I'm guessing I'm not one of those someones?

What? I don't understand. You- put him in a river, and was going to let him drown, unless he.. let go of some sort of truth?"

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

i would NEVER TRY to annoy ANYONE! :D

… you most CERTAINLY are NOT. it’s not a particularly long list to start with, and i do NOT intend to add you to it

what don’t you understand? you just summed it up PERFECTLY!

[vanilly-not-found]

"You're doing it right now, and I'm telling you, it isn't working. I am not upset.

.....Figured as much. ..It's probably good that I'm not on that list, I'm a bit concerned about what someone would need to do to actually be liked by you..

What truth did you want him to let go of so badly?"

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

i said i’d never try. never said anything about never succeeding at it :)

… there’s only eiiiiigghhhtttt? people on the list. sort of a variety of things, nothing too horrible

all of it :):):):))

[vanilly-not-found]

He loosely crossed his arms. "You aren't succeeding at it, either.

That's a surprise! That they didn't do too bad of things, I mean.

'All of it'?..... Pure Vanilla Cookie wouldn't do that. Of course he didn't. He knew the value of the truth. It isn't something- he could have just casted aside. He held the Light of Truth, for Witches' sake...!" .

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

oh! i’m not? :)

even more surprising for you would be that one of them is Pure Vanilla Cookie. not the one you used to be, of course, different one

yes yes ALLLL of it! and considering he did NOT drown in yogurt it seems SAFE to assume he did, at least temporarily ABANDON IT. HA HA HA!!

[vanilly-not-found]

"No, you're not. I'm really not annoyed at this point, just- confused, tired maybe?

...Oh..? Is he really that different from me?..

....How could you do such a thing to him..!? Doesn't it bother you at all? The fact that you can even laugh about that-!

I need to leave. White Lily Cookie is waiting for me back at the house. I wouldn't want to worry her more than I have to."

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

heheh! well i guess THAT is an acceptable end result, too!! :)

… hmmmmm … he’s pretty much a normal Pure Vanilla Cookie …

he he he heheheh! i had several reasons, BUUUT they don’t really matter anymore. and no, it does NOT bother me! :)

yes YES go RUNNING back to that infuriating little half cookie, haha!

[vanilly-not-found]

"Of course it is..

Does he know the things you've done? If he doesn't, you should tell him..

That's sick and twisted. ...I wanted to give you a chance at first, I did.. I'm sorry that I can't. Not sorry to you specifically, just in general.

...Actually, I'll stay, and explain to her later why I took so long out here. Wouldn't want to miss out on anymore 'fun' conversations."

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

tee hee!! :):)))))

but of COURSE he does! he WAS the victim to SOME of it, y’know

ohhhhhhh! FINALLY someone who has enough sense to know i have NO CHANCE of “redemption” or WHATEVE shit you people believe in

… hwhaaaaa??????

*don’t know HOW to describe his expression other than “wet cat”. so. he just stares at him like a confused wet cat*

you were just SO insistent on leaving what are you up to?

[vanilly-not-found]

"Well, I suppose that it's his decision if he wants to interact with you, then..

...I didn't say that. I just meant.. okay, I'll admit it- you do make me uncomfortable. The strange things you're talking about. Umm.. that doesn't mean that someone else can't try to help you! But I don't think that someone could be me. If anyone could even do that. Yeah...

You wanted me to go 'running back' to White Lily Cookie so badly, that I suppose I can stay here for longer. I don't know. I'm just being petty, I guess."

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

twas unexptected that he agreed to stay with me again. heheh!

… so delusional with those hopes of yours, just like him in that way … oh well i can tell you for CERTAIN that there is NO ONE who can help me! heheh!

egh. White Lily Cookie is BARELY half a cookie and her other half has done SO MUCH more useful things than she ever could

[vanilly-not-found]

"That is very unexpected. Hm. Why would he do that?

I think the word there is hopeful, not delusional. ....Maybe there is someone out there, and you just haven't met them yet. There is a chance, even if it's a low one.

..Her other half? ...This is another big thing the others have failed to tell me about, isn't it.."

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

i think he got a bad case of the “i can fix him”s last time he stayed here….

… you do NOT understand. there is no CHANCE at ALL. No “hope”…

… PFFFHAHAHAHAHAHHWHEEHHEHHHHHHG!!! THEY DIDN’T TELL YOU ABOUT DARK ENCHANTRESS COOKIE????

[vanilly-not-found]

"Oh. That does make sense.

You don't know that, though! I mean, unless you looked at your own future- but you said yourself that it wasn't always reliable.

............." Yeahhh that was a no

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

… … he’s a weird little guy

i haven’t looked at my future … but … … i have good reason for believing this

*he GRINS much wider than it really looks like he should be able to, once again revealing his oddly sharp teeth*

do you WANT me to tell you about her?

[vanilly-not-found]

"Aren't we all, hah..

Then what are those reasons?"

!!

"..I-.. if.. if it's something I need to know.. Then I guess so...? Although, since it's something to do with White Lily Cookie, she should be the one to tell me.."

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

hahah! good point …

… … … … so … hypothetical question … if someone were to take away half your soul and half your powers, would it be sensible to assume that the part of soul you had left was irreversibly corrupted amd you had no chance of ever getting better?

…

ohhhhh it IS something you need to know. and since she hasn’t told you yet do you really think she’ll tell you now?

[vanilly-not-found]

"Well, hypothetically-.. maybe the soul left could be uncorrupted somehow..? Or reunited with the part that was taken? If taking half of the soul was possible in the first place, ways to fix it probably exist, too. Hypothetically."

..

He took a deep breath. "Fine. No. She... probably won't. Tell me, about Dark Enchantress Cookie.."

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

… i tried getting back the other half of the Soul Jam.. didn’t get it … ohhhhh and it MOST certainly is possible to take away half a soul. it’s also possible to take away the WHOLE THING if you REALLLY want to

…

Dark Enchantress Cookie started the Dark Flour War, devoted to the cause of burning all cookies to ash to avoid their appointed fate of the Witches’ Banquet! she also made nice new bodies for my friends and myself and, most IMPORTANTLY of all, used to be WHITE LILY COOKIE

*why. why does he look so happy about this?*

[vanilly-not-found]

He looked at Shadow Milk's Soul Jam, then back at his own, but didn't comment on it

"What was in the half that was taken from you?

A. War. There- was a war.. and she wanted to crumble everyone.... Except you and some other cookies, for some reason...... but- if she's White Lily Cookie-....!

I'm living with someone who started a WAR!?"

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

half my soul. and half of my power. :))

yes yess there was! ohhh she thinks that the war will go better for her if she has the Beast cookies aiding her. so she gave us shiny new bodies!! :D

HA HA HA HA HA HAVHA HA HAVHAHAHAHAHH!! YES YOU ARE!! HE HE HE HE HE HE HEVHE!

[vanilly-not-found]

"Half of your power makes more sense than half of your soul, how do you split a soul in half..?

Beast Cookies.. you're a Beast Cookie. ...I am speaking to a Beast Cookie. Witches help me this is awful. ..You. Aren't actually going to help her, are you!? Even if she gave you a new body. Since you needed one, apparently.

.....She.... has a lot to explain to me. Do- you think I'm in danger, being near her? ..Has she been hiding this from me so that I don't turn against her and try to prevent this war breaking out again? Oh Witches, are my other friends in on this...?"

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

i … don’t know …

the witches are the ones who didn’t even TRY to help my friends and i when we started to corrupt. they for ABSOLUTELY certain will not help you. hmmmm, i have YET to make a concrete decision either way. on the one hand, i would PREFER staying in my Spire and cause chaos from afar, but on the other she DID make these new bodies…

HEHEHEHEHH YOU’RE ASKING ME!? HAHAHAHAHAHAHHHHHHH! oh ho ho HAHEHEHEHH now THAT is HILARIOUS, a REAL showstopper, let me tell you.

[vanilly-not-found]

"Hm....

So they could have prevented it, but they didn't. ..I hope you decide not to help her. Besides, if she wants to burn everyone- who would you cause chaos towards?

I don't know that I was asking you. Maybe I was. I don't know anymore. I think all of this is way over my head and I hate it. I do know I shouldn't believe a word you're saying.. but at the same time, I'm not sure if I can even trust my friends......"

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

…

i knoowwwwwwww. but it does seem like i should AT LEAST temporarily help her … then again the life force extractor i helped her make MIIGHT have been enough

hmmmm, so, seems you’re whole life, your friends, possibly even YOURSELF, has been a lie? how does that make you feel? any regrets? HAHAHA!

[vanilly-not-found]

"The. What. Please. Please tell me that's not what it sounds like it is!

I did the best with the information I was given, and I'll continue to do so.. I just need to.. reflect, on all of this. Probably talk to the other Ancients about it. ..If you were expecting me to give up like Pure Vanilla Cookie did, you are mistaken."

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

the Life Extractor. it is MOST CERTAINLY exactly what it sounds like.

you need to get a LOT better at gathering information, then! and DEFINITELY talk to those other Ancients.

[vanilly-not-found]

"Why would you give her that. WHY would you GIVE her THAT!?

It's not like I have any sources of information besides the Ancients. And I guess you. ..Neither seem very reliable now."

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

in exchange for the new bodies she made! also the SCREAMS totally made it worth it! :)

*… it is impossible to tell if he’s joking or not*

HA HA HA HA HA HA!! how UTTERLY unfortunate for you!! HE HE HE HE HE! you really should find yourself some more reliable sources

[vanilly-not-found]

"..........

I'm done with you, I'm done with this conversation. No more. Okay?

I don't need sources, it's fine. My friends will explain to me what's gone on."

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

awwww but we were JUST getting to such a FUN TOPIC. :(

i doubt they willlll~!

[vanilly-not-found]

"It isn't fun, it's evil. I'm not talking about death, and war, and dangerous games. Especially since you seem to- enjoy them.

Then I guess I'll have to wait until I get my memories back. Fine by me."

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA!!! how do you know it’s those i take pleasure in and not your discomfort?

that may never happennnnn!!

[vanilly-not-found]

"It doesn't matter which one it is, both reasons are bad.

Yes, it will happen. I know it will, and you can deny that all you want, or call me crazy, but I know."

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

then to be clear … it’s both reasons! HAHA! ohhhhh, there are oh SO many stories i could tell you of the stuff that i have done. alll cookies just LOOOVE a little beastly (HE HE HE HE) entertainment, amirite?

you are SO RIGHT. you have LOST YOUR MIND. HA HA HA HA HA HAHHHHHH!!

[vanilly-not-found]

"You aren't right. And I don't care to hear more stories about how you caused suffering for others.

Actually, it sounds like you're the one who lost their mind, not me. My mind is pretty intact. Ironically."

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

ohhhhhhhhhhhh but i AM right! HA HA HA! you’ll understand someday, i’ll make sure of that! :D

weeelllll losing something implies i HAD it in the first place, so i will HAVE to insist that i did NOT lose my mind!

[vanilly-not-found]

"..Excuse me? How do you plan to make me understand? What, are you going to throw me into a river, too-?

You're right about that. My mistake. .. I wonder what Pure Vanilla Cookie will think about all of this. Sorry to bring him up again, I know it's annoying. I don't- really care, though. So um."

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

the river was VERY effective! also he went in willingly, i never forced anyone, for the record.

welllllllll i could always drag mine here to see his reaction….

[vanilly-not-found]

"I don't buy that someone would choose to do that. No.

......Oh? That-.. would make this conversation worth it...!"

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

ohhhh but he DID!! :)

… yes … just a minute …

*he rips open a portal next to where he floats and just shoves his head inside it to talk to someone on the other side of it for a bit before he pops back out with Pure Vanilla Cookie coming out soon after*

[vanilly-not-found]

"Suree.."

.

.

!

He gasped.

"Pure Vanilla Cookie.....!? Wow! It's... lovely to meet you!" His hands shook slightly

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

tis what happened~

…

oh, hello! Shadow Milk Cookie told me a little about you, it’s lovely to meet you as well

[vanilly-not-found]

"Hello! I never thought I would get this opportunity to speak with you! Well, with one of you, I guess-! ..There's so much I've wanted to say if this ever happened and yet III can't recall what any of it is, hah.."

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

hehe! i’m sure you’ll remember what you wanted to say soon

no, i think he MIIIGHT be a —

Shadow Milk Cookie … please … TRY to behave

…

he’s been tormenting you, hasn’t he?

[vanilly-not-found]

"I'm sure I will!"

.

..

...

"Just a liittle bit.. haha...."

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

*Pure Vanilla glances at Shadow Milk, looking rather disappointed, the other pretends not to notice the glance*

i’m sorry about him. he agreed to try to be better. but i think he only tries around people he likes … i’ll have to talk to him about that later

[vanilly-not-found]

He looked between them

"Oh, no! No, there's no need to apologize. Though, a talk would probably be for the best. ..He told me so many- strange things.."

[master-of-puppets-and-shadows]

he is a very peculiar cookie, so i have no doubt he has said some ... odd things. ... it also seems very likely that it was said with the sole purpose of tormenting you, which does require an apology, and i know he won't give one

[vanilly-not-found]

"Well, thank you, that's very kind. ...Though, is he always like this?"