WillBeTheHero @willbethehero - Tumblr Blog

Hello. I've been watching your "Shared Beliefs AU" and I have the need to strangle your takes on Susie and Kris.

Also, just wanna ask, if canon and your AU characters meet, what would happen? ...and how violent would canon Kris and Susie's reaction to "Dusty"'s treatment be?

Thank you for reading :3 If the AU characters met their originals...

I don't know for sure! But I have it in mind for a bonus pannel, so we will know when we get to it! I bet it will be super tragic thought!

potatotato-26

Before the Witch’s banquet

Misplaced virtues au prequel thing ( part 1 ) (this is long I warn )

GODS this took a while- and I need to make a second part lol- that one will be fun Enjoy a glimpse at my Aus Truthless recluse and Scorched Lily just before disaster strikes :)

also short post this convo

ISaT/CRK AU Extra: Release the Bonnie

Synopsis: Lily suffers Wishcraft Exhaustion and threatens to nom everyone! There’s only one thing to do in a situation like this…

(Note, takes after the Displaced Flower and just after [SPOILERS].)

This is canon, yes.

I wanted to make something quick to clear my head, and these doodles made by @potatotato-26 helped a LOT in that regard.

I own nothing.

Anyways, enjoy!

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#isat au #in stars and time #in stars and time au #cookie run kingdom #crk au #isat spoilers #white lily cookie #crossover #comfort #isat bonnie #pure vanilla crk

shibestars

Question for you:

Have you consider an ISaT x Look Outside crossover where Sif is immune to the Visitor's gaze for (UNITY ENDING SPOILERS), but has to watch the horrors tm while crashing at Sam's appartment?

omg hey hey howdy!

You're my first ask ever! Sorry it took so long to get to you, I was so excited then I overthought how to answer and then I burnt myself out!

Now, let's think about how a crossover or something could work...

In Stars and Time and Look Outside are, on a fundamental level, two completely different realities. One operates on a world that is very much like our own, but an eldritch monstrosity from outer space begins to warp and twist the world and all who gaze upon it. The other is a world where manipulation of time is possible, and wishes can be granted by the universe itself to the point where an entire country was erased from everyone's mind, and every human is unable to view color, only shades. What then, happens if one from one reality crosses over into another? Do the rules of ISaT apply to Siffrin if he's in the Look Outside universe, or do the laws of that reality warp the world around him? If Sam is in Dormont, would he be able to gaze upon the forgotten Country and see the world's colors? It's certainly something to consider. Let's pretend that the rules of one world must stay in that world. Siffrin crosses over into Canada before or during the events of Look Outside. This could happen to a Siffrin unable to escape the loops, perhaps someone's wish gone awry. Knowing what Siffrin's true wish was, it might not be by his own volition. Regardless, Siffrin now needs to come to the terms that, 1. He can perceive shades AND colors, which alone could be a huge mindfuck. 2. He can't use crafts as he did before - and must rely on this world's items and techniques. Due to the truth of the Visitor, though, he could find a way to delude Craft into reality - or if the Universe hasn't fully abandoned him, he might be able to fight. (He is powerful, he may be strong enough to take on most bosses on his own.) 3. His friends - or actors - are no longer by his side. He's alone in this strange, decaying world. 4. He cannot loop. If he dies, he dies. And whatever is happening doesn't seem to affect him, but it affects anyone who looks outside in this world. Without a proper support system, he might just break down. Though, upon meeting others, I'm sure the Astronomers would be quite fond of him.

willbethehero

Uprooting - ISaT/CRK AU part 3

Synopsis: The Saviors have collected all the Orbs and have begun their trek to Dormount. Unfortunately, a surprise encounter with a Sadness finally leads to a slightly different outcome. For both the Flower, and her human compatriates.

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Okay.

Wow.

This should NOT have taken as long as it did. And honestly, I will most certainly be more careful about going overboard in the future. But I have a story I wish to say, and I wish to tell it. Anyways, brace yourselves and enjoy this emotional behemoth.

TW: body horror, blood, descriptions and depictions of open wounds, trauma, grief, emotional breakdown, small comforts, .

All the incredible art was done by @potatotato-26. The initial concept would never been possible without them, nor @sherllockholems.

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#morning rb #rb #isat au #crk au #crossover

Uprooting - ISaT/CRK AU part 3

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Okay.

Wow.

TW: body horror, blood, descriptions and depictions of open wounds, trauma, grief, emotional breakdown, small comforts.

All the incredible art was done by @potatotato-26. The initial concept would never been possible without them, nor @sherllockholems.

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#isat au #in stars and time au #in stars and time #cookie run kingdom #cookie run au #crk au #white lily cookie #siffrin #isat bonnie #tw: blood #tw: emotional breakdown #isat spoilers #tw: White Lily Cookie's traumatic past with witches/humans #tw: White Lily Cookie's existential crisis #tw: cannibalism(?)#tw: White Lily's self-loathing #tw: Siffrin's self loathing (but not as much)

localweirdoisat

ISAT AU

What if ISAT but instead of the Sipsap looping back when they talk to the head housemaiden he and the family just. Ttransport to another dimension? Like, they're still on a journey together and it'll never end until they get to their world again!!! And guess who ends up gaslighting themselves that it's good that their journey is still going on and that they should keep traveling??? teeheee (Siffrin)

willbethehero

This. This right here.

This is what I've been looking for.

Further decon of the loops in a game twist. Everyone is aware and gets increasingly done with it.

I'd call "In Stars and Transmigration", since its another way of saying "isekai".

#ISAT au #Isat spoilers #what would the exhausted party and manical Sif look like?#What other enemies besides the King?#all of these sounds so ibtresting and the worst is Loop would be SO jealous

Hey, I wanted to check up how is part three going?

Slow. Sorry, these things take time.

#asks

So how is part three going?

Slow. But now that I'm done with school, I SHOULD start working on it again. Will still take a while tho.

Sorry.

#asks

willbethehero

Displaced Delicious Gingerbread - ISaT/CRK AU part 2 + Extra

Synopsis: White Lily Cookie has traveled with the Saviours of Vaugarde for a few weeks since her sudden ‘appearance’. Having helped a town with a Sadness infestation, its people give the heroes a very sweet gift as thanks! One which, unfortunately, may be hard for “Lily” to stomach…

I LIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIVE!!

So yeah, writers block. Its a pain. And when I got my mojo back, would ya believe it was near the finals of school? Yeah that was fun. Anyways, I should preface this by saying sorry, and secondly, I'll still be unsure if/when I get a chance to upload my third story on this. But please note that it WILL be coming out, even if takes a while.

Side Note: not as many pictures as before, but Tato may have some more. Hard maybe. Please do not harass them for any reason.

Like before, this fic was inspired by asks by @sherllockholems and scenes are drawn by @potatotato-26, and is based on In Stars and Time by Disc5 and Cookie Run Kingdom by Devsisters. I do not own anything.

Please enjoy!

CW: PTSD, spiraling, slight self-harm, and trauma

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《Oh, saviors!》

A somewhat elderly giant -a humaine you internally correct- suddenly calls out to everyone as just as you managed to get secure on your harness (you’ve already forgiven him, but a laugh helps to relieve some of the tension, as your friend once said). This person appeared to be the leader, given the sense of authority they radiated.

《We’re eternally reconnaissante for your efforts. Had you généreuse folks not arrived, we fear we would be revendiqué by the King’s Curse…》 The elder, seeming leader of this village, proclaims, a slight shudder passes their lips. 《Truthfully, we had been preparing for a celebration for a recent birth… We would be négligent not to ask if you may join us?》 the leader asked, hand somewhat outstretched in a gesture of goodwill towards the Housemaiden’s direction. She… looked rather hesitant, in all honesty. In fact, she seemed rather apprehensive by the possibility of staying.

You can certainly understand the feeling.

《W-well… T-Thank you for the o-offer…》 the Housemaiden, Mirabelle, stuttered. She clearly was torn between turning down the offer and accepting it. You… weren’t exactly in a position to disagree with her.

As Mirabelle and her party had (managed to) explain to you, the curse that threatens this entire country spreads like a malady. All touched by it, whether it be itself or the “Tristesse” manifested by the panic, are frozen in time… A chilling concept indeed. The ability to manipulate time to such a degree… It would be an interesting subject to study, if not for the current… situation.

And yet, this “Housemaiden” still goes out of her way to help those on the wayside. Even if it cuts into their mission. Because she truly wants to help them, unable to pass by the suffering of others.

If they were a cookie, what virtue would her dough radiate?

Regardless, you motion to your… “assigned carrier” humaine, Bonnie, to take notice of their companion’s slight distress. Upon doing so, they immediately start clamouring for their attention.

《HEY! BELLE!》 ‘Loud’ truly is their preferred method of speaking, considering how your head slightly rattle as they help their friend out of their indecision. 《WE LEAVIN’?》 They innocently asked. Not… exactly how you wanted to ask, but you get the feeling this more stems from urgency than anything malicious.

《Loud as always, Boniface…》 The taller ‘Madame’, Odile sighed. 《But yes, Mirabelle? We are leaving, no? Can’t exactly keep the Roi waiting.》 She adds somewhat sardonically, despite never taking her eyes off the book she was reading. You lightly snort, seeing as she’d make for a rather studious member of Blueberry Academy. Though for the strangest reason, you ironically see her more of a student than a teacher there.

《Hey, c’mon Madame! Mira deserves a break after everything!》 Came the concerned yet considerate voice of the party’s “Defender”, Isabeau. The rather large man had his arms crossed and somewhat of a pout on his face, before it morphed into one of deep thought. 《Still, maybe we can just have it to go?》

Bonnie suddenly gasps, a sign of betrayal was clear on their face. 《ZA! You crab! You tellin’ me my food ain’t good?》 You sigh, as this is probably the third time this week that Bonnie had gotten upset when the opportunity for other snack sources besides themselves came up. They truly did care about their reputation as the party’s chef. You open your mouth to try and placate them-

《C’mon Bonbon…》 That voice pipes up, with the whole party suddenly looking over to see the ‘Rouge’ of the party, “Siffrin” as they named themselves, spoke up, a wry grin adorning their face. 《You can’t just turn down a meal! Colla-tivation is key to happiness, after all.》

《HAHAHA!》 Isabeau laughs uproariously. Bonnie hides a chuckle with a grimace, and Mirabelle and Odile both groan at the winking rouge’s strange words.

You don’t exactly see the so called 'humor', but can’t help to think they need more practice, personally. Or maybe you're still put off by how they dress… and the language gap as well, even with how close you are to understanding everything these last few days. So instead, you opt to just roll your eyes at the attempt.

There’s something else you know you just don’t see it.

Regardless, that seems to have soothed Mirabelle a tad, as she serenely smiles at the elder, her hands together. 《T-Thank you for the offer. But we simply must make hâte. Excuses.》

There’s a look in the leader humaine’s eyes you catch, but they manage to smile despite that. 《I see. A shame, but we understand.》 The leader accepted morosely, 《Still, we would be remise to not give you something for your troubles…》

As the words leave the leader’s lips, a smaller humaine walks forward, expression of shyness across their face. In their hands, a bag tied with a pretty ribbon on it.

The smell of baked sugar emitting from the bag begins to make your dough crawl.

《Please, at least take this.》 The elder said as Mirabelle began opening the bag, your horns beginning to itch in dread. 《It is our village’s specialty after all! Pain d'épice!》

And just like that, your entire worldview goes dark with smoke.

✦✦✦

“The recipe came from a traveler who stayed a few weeks long ago, but they were nice enough to share the recipe, and we made it our own.” the village elder explains. Huh. So a traveler left something of a mark on this place? Cute. Adorable even! How nice of them to have left a piece of themselves behind. You doubt you’d be able to make something as charming as those Gingerbread people Mira has in her hand are.

“Oh my! They look absolutely adorable!” Mira proclaims. You feel a bit better as she smiles at the treat. Even if it isn’t Bonbon who made it. Speaking of…

“See, Bonnie?” Isa assured as he gently rubbed Bonbon’s hair with his big hands. “Nothing wrong with other options, ya know?”

“Mhmmm…” Bonbon still looked upset, so you’ll have to help them out later. You take a look at Odile, who has already gotten into the ‘I am already taking off, but not actually yet’ face. You think. She is rather… um, wise.

Besides, you have a destination to reach after all. Ignoring the feeling in your stomach, you can’t help but smack your lips in anticipation of trying out those “Gingerbread”. Sadly, your anticipation is soured when your eyes eventually wander to them, the weird flower Sadness that Bonbon decided to keep, strapped to their chest like some helpless babe. (Which you are aware is NOT the case.)

Sure, it may have charmed everyone else besides you and Madame Odile, but you’ve been keeping an eye on her. You’d NEVER let them get hurt. Even if the Sadness had a strange charm about it.

Uh.

Speaking of.

She’s looking rather uh… intensely at the Gingerbread.

…

Does it secretly want them as well?

You can't tell from here, but she looks like she really wants to break out of that harness.

Your eyes narrow as her rapidly moving “eyes” suddenly become transfixed with yours. You’re not sure why, but…

You decide to give a reassuring smile, hoping to soothe the Sadness before it makes a ruckus (and targets you again, for some stars-blasted reason).

Uh.

She looks exactly like she did when you first met???

Nice going dumb-dumb!!! You just look away, your hat hiding your embarrassment as everyone says their farewells.

You wish you aren’t rooted in place. AGAIN. Stars…

⚜⚜⚜

The world is covered in an insufferable haze

. . .

You cannot see

Okay.

You cannot breath

Alright.

You cannot feel

You

sigh. Loudly. Louder than you expected. Than you wanted you are going to alert them-

No.

Stop.

This is nothing. Nothing at all. Keep your hands off your horns. They know nothing. And you can protect yourself if the worst comes to worst. All you need to do is just-

You cannot spe

《Hey, Li? You alright?》 The giant yet gentle voice of Bonnie suddenly knocks out of the haze momentarily. You manage to-wait, are they already sitting in front of you? And the tents… 《You’ve been quiet for a bit.》

Clearly you are. Crumbs. You NEED to get it together, White Lily!

“Y-yes… S-sorry.” You cough out, louder than usual. They undoubtedly notice something is off about you. You clutch your staff (thankfully by your side still).

So what are you waiting for?

“I just…” You open. The words are on the tip of your tongue!

Just say what you feel! Just-

*Growllll…*

You. Blush. The haze that filled your vision parts… leaving you with an empty belly and an embarrassed look on your face. Crumbs.

《Ooooh… You’re just hungry! Makes sense.》 Bonnie realizes with a nod. They then turn around and face everyone else, who are currently already set up camp-Cheese, how out of it were you?! 《HEY EVERYONE! I’MMA MAKE SOME REAL FOOD FOR LI! YOU GUYS WANT ANYTHIN’?!》

Loud as always. Even so, you can’t help but sigh with slight nostalgia as their booming voice reminds you a bit of your friends back home. So carefree and full of life. You scratch the itch in your head with your free hand, hoping the haze will recede further.

《Hmmm… 》 the Defender, Isabeau, thinks. Deeply. For a split second, you wonder if he’ll say no. 《Of COURSE, Chef Master Bonnie!》 However, his boisterous answer makes it clear what he wants. And you feel the haze inside your eyes return.

It’s not you. Do not say anything to change that.

《Sure thing, Bonbon! Uh… I’ll take whatever, actually.》 The ‘Rouge’ finishes their request rather quietly. You try your best to ignore the itch in your horns as you attempt to speak again to the humaine in front of you-

Remember. It’s not you.

《I suppose so.》 The Madame, Odile, speaks, and interrupts your words, having finally put her book down for the day. 《Nothing too heavy, Boniface.》 She requests.

It’s not you. It’s not you.

《Uh, same, actually…》 Mirabelle says, raising her hand. 《I’d HATE to let these cute little things go to waste!》 And your jam. Goes. Cold. seeing what she is holding in her giant hands.

It’s not you. It’s not you. It’s not you.

《Hey Li!》 Bonnie speaks once more, now looking directly at you. Despite the small shudder (you hope that doesn’t make your dough appealing) You lock eyes with them. 《…Watcha want?》

It’s. Not. You.

“I’d… much like to taste those…” You start, tremor in your horns affecting your decision making. Even so, you clutch your staff to find your voice. “banana chips’, again…” you barely finish.

itsnotyou.

《Plantain chips? Alrighty then!》 The chef answers happily, hands raised in the air. 《Okay then, what do you guys want?》 You hear them faintly say as the haze begins encompassing your world again in earnest.

You clutch your staff again, your Soul Jam’s verdant light shining softly despite your worries.

Crumbs scattered everywhere

You look at the sky, the sun having set and the cool wind against your dough.

Silverware clattering against plates

You are left alone with your thoughts. Which is becoming more and more apparent that it’s… hard. To keep lying like this.

Crusty snapping and gooey splashing.

It makes you feel sick inside. Like something rotting in your dough and spreading outwards.

But the alternative. . .

Cackling laughter mixed with chomps.

You were lucky in these past few weeks!

The sweet smell of sugar and jam

They don’t know. No. They CAN’T know! You made a promise. Not just to your friends, but to these humaine as well… to help them.

But. But would they really keep-?!

《Hey. Li. Got them plantain chips for ya. Crunchy. Delicious. And full of potassium.》

You. Blink as you see a large (to your size) plate of the… banana chips? They… already prepared it for you?

Oh Cheese.

《You looked EXTRA moody for some reason, so I made a bit more this time.》 The human kindly said, before an emotion you realize is worry shimmers in their eyes. 《…Also, you SURE your alright?》

“Y-yes, I’m fine!” you hastily lie, that moldy feeling stretching out inside you again. You position yourself towards the plate (child size that they bought for you) and grab hold of a chip. Warm and fresh, passing through your grass gloves and touching your (trembling) dough. “T-thank you, chef Bonnie!”

《Cuisinière.》 They gruffly say. 《…And, okay…》 Their eyes finally break contact as they finish returning to their own meal. There was a sense of… sorrow in their voice. Are they still worried about you?

‘Of course they are.’ You mentally remind yourself as you bite into the chip. You hum. ‘It really is as tasty as last time.’ You’ve been able to consume more solid foods that you thought impossible. They found you and have been constantly speaking for you. The state of your current body itself is an enigma. ‘Does it have something to do with how you arrived here? Maybe.’ Even when you struggled to speak the native language. ‘You're so close. So close to the ones you once thought out as gods.’ Even when you stumbled in combat. You eat a few more chips, the texture and flavor melts in your mouth. Having arguments with the Rouge. Your Jam shudders. You shovel a few more chips at that, snarfing a bit but pressing onwards. ‘It's so good…’ you mentally hum. Stopping at certain spots to examine the wildlife. More chips. Your horns are burning now. Certain towns have made you act strange enough to be noticed. Crumbs are everywhere. Your dough feels burning. You shovel even more chips in your maw. The woman named Odile has even tried to see if your “lost memory” lie rings true. Something wet rolls off your eyes. They crunch against your lips and the flavor explodes in your dough. The mold inside of you scratches your tiny innards. ‘Why is your body like this?’ You eat more. Horns. ‘Why are you so far away?’ Dough. And more. Jam. Why do they trust you? 'Why why why why

《Oh, Lily! Do you want some Gingerbread? Sorry, I… you looked really hungry and thought you wanted something else.》 Someone asks you.

And

You

See a Cookie

Motionless and partially broken.

In front of you.

Jam is oozing from their body.

You blink. And see Mirabelle. Kind, gentle Mirabelle.

Holding it out for you.

For you.

For. You.

For-

《Lily?》

“I’m sorry…” you mutter out, ignoring EVERYTHING roaring furiously inside of you as you get up on your feet and bow politely. “I think… I need to go for a run.”

Soul Jam in hand, you mindlessly walk into the deeper canopy, unable to hear anything else as the haze completely takes over.

✦✦✦

«I’m sorry…» You heard the Sadness whimper out, “I think… I need to go for a run.” And with a small sob, it takes off into the forest. At NIGHT.

…what the stars???

You are left dumbfounded. Mouth agape mid crunch of your delicious meal at what just occured. Not only did the Sadness just… run off. But mid-dinner break, of all things!

“Ah…” But Mira. Poor, gentle, kind Mira. She looks outright crushed!

Who does that blazar think she is, huh?! Turning down a cookie like that is poor form. And that’s something you can be 100% certain of!

“See, Za! I TOLD ya Li didn’t like Gingerbread!” Bonbon yelled at Isa, knocking you out of your thoughts with a wince.

“Alright, alright…” Isabeau sighed, scratching the back of his head. Bonbon looks upset. You should try and fix this, as unequipped to handle this as you may be.

“Hey, it’ll be-”

“It’s NOT okay! Li just ran off!” Bonnie countered you before you could even start! Wow! Why did you try this, again? “She was really upset, too!”

“Oh change,” Mira mutters, the cookies having fallen from her hand and into the grass, “I-I never meant to upset her…”

“Mirabelle, nails.” Odile reminds. Mira’s hand goes back from her face. “But… I do have to agree with Boniface on this.”

“What do you mean, Madame?” Isa asks. You yourself can’t help but be curious as to what she is talking about. Especially if it has something to do with the Sadness in question.

“She reacted poorly to that gingerbread.” Odile states simply, currently eyeing the direction the Sadness went. “As in, a particularly bad way…” She trails off.

“You m-mean…!” Mirabelle gasps. You and Isa are equally curious about this, as much you personally wouldn’t.

“Dile! Quit being a crab and say it!” Bonbon rather impatiently demands. Isa is already trying their best to soothe them as Dile sighs.

“Same as before. She reacted badly when she first awoke and saw the food, if you all still remember. I believe she may have… recalled something.” she concludes, and the unspoken answer lingers in the air. Must be a rather bad memory, given how they were acting since everyone left the village…

You don’t think you have bad memories yourself per se… well, you don’t have much beside this, but still-!

“So… Lily’s all out there… alone.” Mira starts, hands gripping tightly against her dress.

“And in a rather bad headspace.” Isa finishes, arms crossed and concern painted on his face.

A poignant silence emanates through your party. The smell of burnt flowers wafting in the air fades by the second. As all of you look towards the direction the Sadness ran into. And the words echo in your brain.

All alone. In a bad headspace.

…

. . .

Ah, stars… “I’ll go find her,” you manage to say.

“Huh?”

“Wha??”

“Sif???” Isa stutters. “I mean, we’d really appreciate it, thanks… but, why???” Rude. You can’t help but give Isa a small stink eye at that, and he seems to get the message.

“I’m the only one that can catch up to her when she starts running.” you explain. And it’s not an exaggeration when you say that Sadness can blinding run. You’d never say it out loud but it… makes you feel a little less confident in your own role as the party’s fastest. Anyways… “I’m also the only one who could track her as well. Hunting skill, remember?”

“And are you forgetting the amount of gem-cracking times I had to separate the two of you?” Odile cuts in, hands on her head. You wince. You did NOT enjoy the feeling of a blinding sprayer soaking half your face and hat. “We can try tracking her down in the-”

“Dile…” Bonbon interrupts, looking at the madam with a pleading expression. She can’t help but flinch. The implication of leaving them all alone…

“. . . Gems… fine. Fine!” Odile concedes, hand slighting down her face as she looks to you exhaustedly. “Siffrin, go help our dear little flower before she hurts yourself, will you? And if you start yet ANOTHER fight, no force on this country will stop my wrath.” she warns.

“Yeah. Mine too!” Bonbon adds.

You can’t help but chuckle under your breath. And if we’re talking flowers…

“I’ll be back… com-poste haste!” you bow. You take off, enjoying the party’s reaction as you follow the scent.

As said party’s reaction fades into the background, you’re left with only one thing left to occupy your empty head.

The Sadness.

You’ve never… tried to connect with them. Not after the first meeting. All those roots surrounding you. It didn’t hurt. You weren’t suffocating. It just was…

Unpleasant.

You don’t… hate it insomuch as you can’t help but make it feel uncomfortable around you. Every pun you say never gets a reaction you want from it, your own tracking skills sometimes get questioned by her when it “feels something is off” and…

Okay.

Maybe this will be difficult for you. Stars. Just… find the Sadness, make sure you don’t upset it like you usually do, maybe make a pun and-

«Ghh… grhh…»

You stop in your tracks when you hear harsh groaning. What the-?

«I…I have to. H-have to… Uhh-!»

*SNAP!*

That sounds… rather bad no? You follow the noise and see-

Uh. You’re not sure what you're seeing, but you think it's bad. Given its just tore a blinding piece of itself off!

«No… no matter what… I will…»

Okay, you should stop this. Now. “Uh, Lily?”

«-!? BLOOM!»

Oh STARS NOT AGAIN! YOU DODGE OUT OF THE WAY JUST AS ROOTS ONCE MORE ERUPT FROM THE GROUND TO GRAPPLE YOU! SPEAK, MORON! “WAIT, LILY! IT'S ME, SIFFRIN!”

THE SADNESS…! Stops mid-another Craft. Very slowly, it lowers her staff. And maybe it's the adrenaline speaking, but you think they're honest to stars shame and guilt on that face. …It doesn’t make you feel any better. Eventually, it just… turns around and sits next to the giant moon in the sky. The only sound beside your own slowing breathing is the sound of the Sadness… shuddering? Sobbing?

. . .

You breathe in and out. Just so you can speak to them as rationally as you can. Be the bigger person here, Siffrin!

“I-”

“I’m sorry.”

Huh?

“For how I acted.” She responds, head turning to you. Its weird eyes shimmer against the night, “For upsetting you all with my behavior. It was utterly becoming of me…” It shudders again, hand on the side of its head that still has a horn (what the stars?) but more at itself than you.

Oh. Boy, do you feel dumb and useless. Why did you come out here again?

“I… just need a moment to myself is all.” And with that, she turns her head back to gaze at the sky.

You stand there in silence for a bit, unsure if the Sadness will do anything.

“So…” you start slowly, trying to see if she’s better… or at least won't bind you again. The lack of response and small muttering in a language you never heard before casts enough doubt on that.

«They don’t know. They don’t know. They don’t know.»

“Uh, Lily?” You cautiously ask. Ok, funnyjokespun person time, GO!. “I wanted to say, despite everything… I still think you can be… a-peeling.” Yes, a fruit joke. Can’t go wrong with that!

Wow. You have never seen someone (Sadness or otherwise) suddenly look at you like that before. Not even Odile! You suddenly feel very self-conscious about your entire being! Stars, she probably wants you blinding dead for that!

“What was that?” You hear.

Huh? “What was… what?” you ask, genuinely confused as to what is happening.

“What you just said, what… was that?”

“Uh…” quick, moron, how do you explain the concept of puns and jokes to someone!? “W-word play? I guess it's to make people laugh…?” Please be enough please be enough please be enough.

. . . «Word play…» You hear it drawls, in its own language, and now it's fully turned back around. “I think I understand now.”

Oh? “Understand what, exactly?”

“I don’t- can’t understand them.”

What? “…Bwah?”

“My apologies.” The Sadness says again while bowing. “Puns have… well I mean to say- «Oh Cheese…»” it winces at its slip up. Wow. You've never seen an apology go that wrong before. Still, you watch it continue forth anyways.

“I’m afraid I’ve… lacked the ability to connect the words to find the humor underneath…” It finishes, looking upset again. But, hang on a sec…

“So… you don't hate my puns? Just… don’t understand them?” You ask, slightly hopeful… wait, why are you asking a blinding-

“Yes… And all along, it was really just a joke, all along…” You hear her say again “I should’ve suspected as much, but-” unable can’t catch the rest, but you breathe a sigh you didn’t know you had. And because someone didn’t hate you (and your puns).

«Hah…» A noise escapes their lips once more. But it sounds… familiar? «Hah… hah hah… a joke. Just a joke. It was nothing more.» Laughter? It… sounds wrong.

*CRACK*

«Why. Why do I still feel like… Like something is. . . missing?» You manage to hear. But you can’t tell. The Sadness is twitching wrongly, smoke is emitting off it, it just started to tear at its larger horn, and your empty head is suddenly aching as she keeps talking. Keeps tearing. «I know it! I know it! Why can’t I-?»

“Lily?” You suddenly say without prompting. She stops twitching for a moment, looking at you again. Her hand is still on her damaged horn, ready to be torn off at any moment. “Breathe with me?”

For several, stars-blinding seconds. . . You felt the whole Universe go still as the Sadness, who had given you nothing but the worst stares (straight into your soul) looked into your eyes.

And you couldn’t help but see yourself.

Lost and adrift at sea.

She… shakily nods. Not saying anything, but you see her mouth something to yourself. You do what you always did when you felt overwhelmed.

You breathe in, and out.

In and out.

In-

“Did you teach Bonnie this?”

You suddenly choke on the air. It… takes longer than you’d ever tell the rest of the party to stop. Once you finally compose yourself-

“W-What?”

“Bonnie- the youngest. I assumed they belonged to you.” said the Sadness.

WHAT.

“BELONGED TO WHAT.” You say.

The Sadness flinches… before suddenly putting their hands over their mouth and away from her horn. “W- «oh Cheese…» no, no! I mean that humaine, Bonnie-” she mutters to herself for… longer before looking at you again. “I meant to say, the humaine that was traveling with you all.”

Oh. You relax a little at that. “Yeah, that’s Bonnie, alright. The little chef,” you say, a smirk replacing your previous confusion. Also, you are in NO WAY capable of parenthood.

“They did it as well, that… breathing technique,” Ah. You didn’t think… you shake it off for now, and keep looking as she continues. “It… seems so pointless and yet… It helped a lot.”

“Huh…” So, they seem… relatively calm at least. With great caution given, you open your mouth again, hoping that this next one won’t land you in trouble. “If you don’t mind me asking…” you start, your body tensing just in case the Sadness starts tying you up again.

“A memory.” she suddenly says.

You blink. You didn’t even get to ask your question!

What is with people today interrupting you?

“A memory? Was it… a bad one?” you mutter, still curious enough as to what she is telling you.

“It was… a painful memory.” she confesses, her tone dead yet the hate was radiating off it. You find she's clutching her fallen, torn-off horn harshly, smoke emitting from her small body, and that burnt smell returns. You don't say anything for a moment. Mainly because… you can’t quite relate.

You don’t really have much else besides this. So only having painful memories…

. . .

“So… no Gingerbread then in the future? Bonnie may not like being limited,” you joke, hoping to get your mind off that emptiness inside you. And then mentally kick yourself for that because why woul-

“N-no! Of course not!” the flower hastily says, smell vanishing in an instant.

Wha? “No? Didn’t you say it hurts you?” you reply, remembering what Odile said about the Sadness’s amnesia.

She shakes her head. “I would never limit someone else’s potential, for whatever reason. I’ve seen how they enjoyed cooking.” she states rather boldly.

Now that you can relate. They became so happy when they were allowed to cook for you all the first time. Your heart clenches when you remember how they smiled when everyone enjoyed their efforts for the first time. Still… “I don’t think they really will, given everything that happened tonight.”

Lily… looks a bit shocked at that. Her eyes glaze a bit as she looks up back at the night sky again. “I see. I didn’t realize they cared that much for me.”

“Pretty sure everyone does at this point.” The jury's still out on Odile though. “You are a member of Mira’s party, afterall.”

Lily doesn’t say anything for a few moments, her face still staring ahead at the stars. “I see. Thank you…” she says. You're not sure if that was a wet or dry sob. You don’t wanna push your luck any further.

“You don’t need to mention it. It’s… nice to see you aren’t upset anymore.” you admit. It’s not a lie. You don't really like seeing the party upset. And despite your own gripes with her… ah, it doesn’t matter.

The Sadness blinks back towards you at that, before managing to muster a weak smile “...That’s very nice of you, Rouge.”

Uh, no. “Siffrin.”

The Sadness blinks again. “Pardon?”

“My name. Siffrin. If we’re gonna try to get along, we can at least use each other's names.”

At that, the Sadness bristles taking a look at you again… but then takes a deep breath and stares into your eyes again. Though this time feels a bit more fierce than how she was usually. “Lily. Call me Lily.”

“Well… I can certainly try, Ms. Lily.” you wink. She’s staring at you like the fruit pun for some- “No, that wasn’t a pun.”

“Oh.”

There's silence. For a moment. As you two look at each other. Eventually, you look up into the sky, and the sa-Lily, remember that, is joining you.

It feels nice.

⚜⚜⚜

‘Well, that could not have gone more wrong.’ you mentally grumble. Between your semi-lucid behavior today compounded by your actions recently, it’s safe to say they KNOW something about you. But what infuriates you more than anything;

Is the humaine you’ve ended up antagonized the most-is the one who helped you into the party in the first place.

How-how selfish of a Cookie are you, to put your own wants in front of others? You couldn’t do that. You don’t want to stifle another's freedom for your convenience.

Not again.

Something is missing here. You KNOW it.

You feel like you did the first time you lied to the small humaine-Bonnie. And despite it all, this Rouge, Siffrin. They're still willing to turn the other cheek. Despite the animosity you both share. You are feel horrible. You want to tear off this remaining horn right off with all your disgust on it. Including that-that-

Your dough trembles in outrage. In disgust. A body was handed to you. Broken, bleeding crust, presented like a gift from the divine.

Lifeless. Inert. Dead.

All for you-

No. Not in front of the R-Siffrin. Even as your hands twitch for that itch and limp of dead weight. They were concerned. Of course. They don’t know.

It’ll fall off with time.

You sigh, a bit lost again at their (and apparently, the party’s) kindness for you. Once more, you only have the stars above you to soothe your half-broken dough.

But… as you sneak a look at your… companion. You can’t help but ask upon seeing their face, “Do they help you?”

《Hmm?》 Siffrin, the not-Witch Rouge, hums in confussion as he looks at you. 《Help what?》 he asks, unaware of what you mean.

“The stars.” You say plainly. Something crosses their face. An emotion you can’t quite assess sparks behind their eyes.

《Yes.》 They say. You can’t tell what color is painting that tone. But you sense something personal.

You decide to leave it at that.

✦⚜✦⚜✦⚜

The Rouge and the Flower would stay there for an hour more, before they made it back to camp.

No one else would learn the full extent of what transpired that day. But besides an understanding, it would never be said.

《Also, you’re apologizing to Mirabelle. You made her upset when you ran off.》 Siffrin suddenly told Lily near the end of their star gazing.

“Yes, that makes sense.” she sheepishly conceded.

Besides the obvious.

⚜✦⚜✦⚜✦

✦✦✦

And thus, the budding lily slowly trembled in starlight.

⚜⚜⚜

WOAH, that was dark. Man, would really need something way lighter to balance that out.

Oh wait-

CW: portrayals of drunkenness (mainly on Lily)

Extra story: The Fairy’s Carriage (aka, why and how Lily goes around baby style)

(Takes place after story 1. Several days after ‘Lily’ joined the Saviors.)

“Huff… huff… crab!” exclaimed Isabeau as he leaned his body on a sturdy tree, resting for just a moment after his marathon-style run. “Dang, Lily. You really-” he started. But found himself unable to finish. Mainly due to Lily having reached 10 feet further and counting in distance on her (surprisingly stubby) legs. And going. And going further. And still going.

“...know how to run.” The Defender finished with a mumble, too busy being in awe that such a small creature possessed the ability to run so much, and was already about 25 feet away.

To understand why our beloved Defender is jogging himself sick with the Flower, we unfortunately need to go back, just a bit more in the timeline. It was just two days after Lily was “accepted” into the Saviors…

《《《《《

“Okay then everyone. Our next destination is just beyond this path.” Mirabelle explained as she pointed ahead. And before them laid a very long, and very boring looking dirt path. There weren’t any trees, no nearby rivers. Not even a single solitary house along the wayside.

It was very boring.

“What’s the catch?” Odile asked, feeling a bit put off by just how dull and normal the dirt road looked. Siffrin meanwhile went ahead, just to make sure nothing was lying in wait.

“That’s just it- that’s all that’s there.” Mirabelle sighed. “There are no towns, no forest for shade- no place to rest down this path. So we can't stop, for even a moment! If we did, we’d be sitting ducks if a Sadness attacked us at night.” she grimaced.

“I’m back! And yeah, Mira’s right. The coast is clear… like suspiciously clear.” Siffrin reported, somewhat also concerned by how empty the path before them all was.

“It was a desolate stretch of land, even before the King… nothing here lasted long.” The Housemaiden spoke plainly about their travel option.

“This is going to be murder on my legs.” Odile sighed in dread for the excursion, old wounds aching in anticipation.

“Hey, don’t be like that, Odile.” Siffrin said with a smile. “You just gotta be a little bit more dirt-termined.”

“UGGHHH!!/NO, BAD!!/Gems…/HAHAHAHA!!!”

“. . .”

*sniff sniff* “Li? What’s wrong?” Bonnie suddenly asked the little Sadness traveler that was currently sitting on their shoulder, due to the scent of flowers mixing with a slight burning filled the child’s nostrils. Said Sadness was busy staring straight ahead at the Rouge, whose cat-like grin would suddenly become strained.

It would be the very first time Siffrin learned what the others would later dub Lily’s “Anti-pun stare”. Mainly due to the way the pupil-less eyes would somehow gain a certain sheen to it as her eyes narrowed, and her “horns” (Bonnie and Mirabelle thought the horns were cool when they grew, despite everything) began to emit smoke. The way the Rouge flinched back against such a worldly gaze is immediate as it was impressive.

“Uh… yeah, we got a lot of ground to cover, Madame Odile.” Siffrin coughed lamely, now finding the boring road ahead more interesting than whatever was eying them with such intensity. He would start walking at a more brisk pace, one which would be easily mistaken for running.

“Hey, Sif, wait up!” Isabeau said as he went after the Rouge. Said rogue, who was still walking at an uncomfortable pace.

“Impressive.” Odile hummed with a smirk to the flower still staring at the Rogue. She would start walking straight ahead after Siffrin at her own pace, mainly to not aggravate her bad leg.

“We should start moving, before the sun sets. We have… a very long road ahead of us.” Mirabelle sighed, already on edge, only waiting for their youngest and their little friend to start.

“Welp, nothing to it.” Bonnie said as they crouched down to make sure their boots were secure. “C’mon Li, lets-”

“W-wait…” Lily suddenly stuttered, motioning for the Kid to stop for just a moment.

“L-Lily? What’s- AH!” Mirabelle exclaimed as the flower suddenly hopped off Bonnie’s shoulder.

“Caried me. Enough.” Lily brokenly said as she landed on the dirt below her, staff in hand, and wrapped in a small cloth to avoid startling others. “I walk. Now.”

“H-huh? Li, it’s pretty far.” Bonnie began. “You do-”

*Zoom!*

. . .

“Huh???” Both the Kid and the Housemaiden could only balk at what just occurred. Mainly the fact said flower Sadness had suddenly taken off and vanished from sight, leaving a small dust cloud in her wake. As they turned their heads-

“GEMS!”

“Sif, wa-BWAAH?!”

“Is-NYAH?”

Saw the shocked reactions of the other party members as a small, delicate-like flower scurried past them everyone else like the kingdom’s fastest creature.

“...Uhm.” Mirabelle mumbled, slightly taken aback by the sudden speed the Sadness used.

Bonnie meanwhile was slightly in awe at what just occurred. They knew the Sadness was fast. Given how it scurried out from the picnic like a blot post root entanglement, Bonnie was the only one who caught a glimpse of her general direction. It was still just as shocking to witness as before. “Woah. She's so fast…” Bonnie gasped.

“What the-?” Isabeau began in shock at what just ran by, before doing a double take at what occurred next. “Sif???”

Shock temporarily colored their face before a determined glare with a fire lit by envy behind replaced it. No sooner did that occur, the Rouge would snap their fingers and make their way after the tiny flower, who was still running as far as her tiny stubs one would hardly call for feet under her dress would take her.

“. . . Huh.” Isabeau let out.

“Oh Gems, he’s getting competitive.” the researcher grimly snarked, clearly not looking forward to mediating the two again.

“Well, I mean-c’mon, M’dame!” said Isabeau. “Sure, they're going a… little farther ahead than us, but they’ll stop soon.” he assured.

The Researcher only gave the Fighter a raised eyebrow at the remark.

“They gotta!”

✦⚜✦⚜✦⚜

TWO HOURS LATER

⚜✦⚜✦⚜✦

*Huff… huff…* “Remind me… dearest Isabeau. How long ago did you say ‘they’ll stop soon’?” The exhausted, half-dead Researcher growled with a withering glare at her very wrong compatriot.

“I knoooooow.” cried the somewhat less exhausted Fighter, though he was no less out of breath. Mainly because everyone had tried to keep up with the rouge and the flower’s sudden race. It was… not a fair contest.

At all.

*Huff… huff…* “Sh-should we tell them to stop?” spoke the Housemaiden between her own exhausted breaths. “I-I know I said we needed to get through this path but-”

“They're still crabbin’ runnin’!” Bonnie yelled, both in awe and annoyance at their two favorite people’s shenanigans. “It’s nuts and their way too far and-and-”

*huff…* “All right, that tears it- YOU TWO, GET BACK HERE, NOW!!” Roared Odile, having enough spite inside herself to use a Craft-enhanced yell to get the two competitors (really, it was just one) racing back. In a matter of moments, Lily and Siffrin returned, both somewhat winded, but still willing. Well-

“Y-yes?” Coughed Lily, somewhat unsure why she had to be called back, considering she was pulling her own weight and then some. Was it the handful of dirt she dug up? She had a theory about the flavour of this dirt compared to Earthbread but didn’t want to say anything yet.

“Don’t-don’t…” Siffrin huffed, genuinely trying (and failing) to appear calmer than his appearance betrayed due to having jogged two hours with Craft buffs just to keep up with Lily. “M-made sure… the Sadness… get too…” he coughed. He was too distracted by his own exhaustion that Lily flinched at his broken words.

Odile gave both of them the same withering stare she gave Isabeau. Almost immediately, both the somewhat on-edge Lily and tired Siffrin both suddenly became ramrod-straight under her gaze. For the former, she suddenly remembers a gaze Elder Faerie Cookie once gave after she accidentally ate an unknown mushroom and had to be bed-ridden for a week before she could go back to her studies. For the latter, he suddenly tilted his hat in a vain hope the stare would lessen. It would not.

“…Right, next time you two suddenly want to race, how about-NO.” She ordered. And Siffrin understood, nodding in compliance.

Lily however-

“Sorry. R-race?”

Odile blinked before answering, “Your speed. Not unusual for Sadness to lean in high speed when threatened, but-”

“Normal.”

“What.” Odile (and Siffrin) said.

“Normal. S-speed.” She confessed, somewhat taken aback by the stares she was getting. (Especially the Rouge, though she still stood strong in spite of it.)

It was that moment when everyone realized their little flower “friend” had a few tricks. Besides the staff.

Following a surprisingly intense argument over the possibility of Lily’s speed being able to surpass Siffrin’s while boosted, and Bonnie stating that carrying Lily isn’t a burden due to weighing a pound, the remaining time spent on that dirt road was thankfully uneventful. Besides ANOTHER incident with Lily attempting (and then partially succeeded in) tasting the dirt and having a reaction too hilarious for words to describe. Lily still ‘walked’ on her own two feet after the dirt incident, but surprisingly still kept up with the larger humans with ease, even after all that occurred.

Which brings us to now.

Following what the party called “The Dirt Road Derby”, Isabeau wanted to see how far Lily could run if given the chance. Claiming to wanting to go for a jog to keep up his strength before they reach civilization again, Lily obliged.

And Isabeau, despite his well-crafted, well developed body found himself eating the dust of a Sadness that could easily outpace him and then some.

》》》》》

Isabeau was deep in thought. Not in envy mind you, but in concern. A Sadness having that much vigor to run loops around the party would be somewhat concerning, given the nature of Sadnesses as vicious, unintelligent monsters. The fact that an intelligent Sadness is a can of worms he and Odile have been trying to open safely without causing distress to everyone else.

After telling Odile about his jog with Lily, he was given the chance to watch over Lily while in the town of Bondue, much to Bonnie’s disgruntlement. Partly due to not wanting Lily’s appearance to frighten any of the townspeople, given her nature as a Sadness (intelligence notwithstanding), she would hide in his very deep pockets until they made it to the nearest inn. And partially because he wanted to make sure Lily would be safer with cushioning in his pocket, than on top Bonnie's head with a hat being the only thing preventing a city-wide panic and manhunt.

That's when another issue propped up.

“Alright Lily. We’re in Bondue now. I won’t lie, it’ll be a… bit tricky with so many people around.” The Fighter slowly began, hoping his words were getting through Lily, as he gently carried her in his massive hands. “Don’t worry, I made sure my pockets have nothing but cotton, so you should be safe. Just… don’t make too much movement, okay?”

Lily nodded, though hesitance was clear on her face, despite the lack of pupils. With a sigh and a prayer to the Change God to not have anything bad happen, he slipped Lily in, spying a look from her as she held her breath.

Very carefully did Isabeau walk, hoping most people would take his status as a (former) Defender would give the people a wide berth. The others, meanwhile, walked in a diamond formation around him,

That would last for a solid 15 minutes.

“RUN!!! SADNESS!!!”

*WHAM!* “GYAH-!”

“LI!”

“OH CHANGE!”

“GEMS!”

“ISA, ARE YOU-”

As panic hit the party at once, Isabeau instantly realized he had been thrown to the floor. And on the side he was carrying Lily in. In a panic, he rose up and rustled through his pocket, praying he had gone and squashed the flower with his size. Only to pause upon noticing how very empty said pocket was.

“Uh, guys? Don’t freak out, but I think Lily's gone-”

«BLOOM!»

“GYRAHHHH!”

No sooner did Isabeau finish his realization, a familiar sound of displaced earth and a terrible cry echoed throughout the town.

“Stars.” Siffrin suddenly cursed.

And everyone ran. And they found less of what was expected.

Mainly Lily, despite her size, standing tall over her opponent. As she pinned the other, more monstrous Sadness in her roots. Behind them, a fallen woman, clearly unnerved-

“W-wait, Li-” Isabeau began too far for his voice to reach.

“Are you-”

“KYAAAH! S-STAY AWAY FROM ME! MONSTER!!!”

The flower visibly wilted at that. Just as sudden, a look in her eyes was something between guilt and acceptance. Before she could flinch back further however-

“Artsy Silent Burst!”

*BOOM!*

Just then, an explosion of Paper Craft explodes against the tied down Sadness, destroying it instantly. And just as sudden, Isabeau came up and picked Lily as gently as he could. Despite the stares he was receiving from everyone.

As accusations of “W-what is that thing?!”, “Is that some new kind of Sadness?”, and the more classic “Mommy, Daddy, I’m scared!” filled the area as a mob began to form, Isabeau kept his eyes on the stilted Lily. Who was still looking at the growing mob with a resigned look.

“You alright, Lily?” Isabeau asked. Wordlessly, Lily nodded, and mentally the Defender put a rain check on that. For now-

“Wh-why is he defending that Sadness?!” someone yelled out in confusion and a tinge of anger. “The Sadness must be controlling the Saviors!” some else yelled in anger. Isabeau looked up to see the mob was growing restless by the second.

“Crab.” cursed the fighter as Odile had a vein forming on her face, and Siffrin was already in front of the kid to shield them from the worse that was about to occur. He began covering Lily in his massive arms, despite her protests, when someone raised their arms to throw something-

“WAIT!!!”

And then, like a miracle, Mirabelle suddenly ran forth, standing in front of both the fighter and the flower like some god-sent angel with her arms stretched out wide.

“Please wait! Before you do something rash, listen!” Mirabelle appeased, her arms not bearing any weapons nor in any craft signs. “This Sadness- she's a good-I mean, innocent. We can assure you all-”

“Crab that! That Sadness just made a bunch of weed blocked off our only exit out of town!” an angry villager proclaimed, pointing towards a slightly devastated wall that was covered to the brim with roots like the ones that tied up Siffrin. A fact the rogue remembered, given the way their face darkened at the sight.

“Lily???” Mirabelle gasped, though in a tone more like admonishing a child for making a mess.

“Trisste… broke through.” Lily brokenly said, despite a clear look of guilt written on her face “Had to… fix.”

“Lily! I mean, it’s really pretty, but nobody can leave? Could you…?” The housemaiden gently tilted her head towards the massive upturning of roots before her.

Lily did not hesitate, and with a shoutting of 《BLOOM!》 to create a sudden, and very beautiful, opening in the wall she made, flowers blossoming out and leaving the mob and party in varying levels of awe. The roots that formerly held down the larger Sandnes would coil together and blossom as well, which soon caused the mob to change their tune from ready to throw fists to throwing a celebration. The reason why however-

“Three cheers for Mirabelle, the Great Sadness Tamer!” the lady who called Lily a monster raised a toast for Mirabelle, the Housemaiden’s intentions having been completely misunderstood.

“YAY!” cheered the townspeople, drinks raised.

“Imsosorryimsosorryimsosorry-” Mirabelle sputtered as she leaned in close to the Flower, hands together and eyes closed due to shame at what snowballed lie had apparently occurred.

“It's. Alright…” Lily lied, having never felt farther from her designation as “Ancient of Freedom” than right now. A Witchess-for-goodness-sake “Tamed Sadness”. And apparently a “new breed” at that (she is thankful for Odile helping her scaring off the more dubious researcher that clearly wanted to dissect her). She supposed it was karma for her lie of being a “Sadness”, but a look at Siffrin, who was standing to the side, eying her with a drink in hand, had her recall why she did so in the first place.

“So. Fes de Fluer, huh?” Isabeau spoke up as he approached the apology storm, trying to divert attention away from everything else with a chuckle. Lily turned to see him having some drinks in hand. Before he suddenly asked “You want one?”

Lily, rather briefly, wondered if that was a safe idea, given her cookie-like body might not be able to handle such a thing. But then, as always, that spark of curiosity got the better of her and given the night she was having, nodded, hands outstretched and grasping at the small by human standards cup. Which she then drank in one big gulp, feeling much more refreshed after all that running and flower spells she did early today.

“Huh…” Isa said in mild surprise as he was just giving Mirabelle her own drink to calm her nerves. “You feel better, Lily?”

«Yep! *hic!* Show good!» Lily slurred cheerfully, to Isa’s shock as the drink was not in any way alcoholic. Bonnie was drinking it for Change’s sake. It was. Just simple berry juice??? Was it just a reaction to her nature as a Sadness??? He didn’t know, but opted to take the suddenly bubbly Lily inside the inn, less she wandered away. Again. While apparently drunk!

— — —

The next day would welcome White Lily with a mild headache. Well, mild for Lily anyways.

As she clutched her fuming head, she saw a small plate with something she believed was… ice cream. Which humans apparently had as well.

“Oh good, you're awake.” a familiar voice said, and the flower would see a sheepish defender approaching, holding something under his left arm while scratching the back of his head with his right. “Uh. I wanted to say sorry. For apparently getting you drunk? DEFINITELY wasn’t my intention last night. And again, I’m REALLY sorry for that.” He apologized profusely.

Despite herself, Lily found herself smiling gently. “It’s… alright.” she said ‘it was actually rather fascinating. Something safe for these humaines was still able to make me feel bubbly…’ She mentally noted. The defender didn’t look that convinced, but he smiled anyway.

“Well, thanks for not holding a grudge. It’d hate for a mistake to ruin a friendship, heh.” he laughed as he pulled out what he was holding out. “But uh… if you want, that ice cream should help with the hangover. Hopefully… mainly so we can talk about this.” he finished as he laid the thing in question; a blueprint for some kind of carriage.

Lily was currently unsure what to say. Maybe it was the headache. Or the ice cream she was having. Or due to having been called “friend” by a humanie she had antagonized before. She just settled on the ice cream for now.

“So. Since people… know about you now, it SHOULD be safe for you to walk around exposed.” Isabeau began. Lily couldn’t help but nod absentmindedly as she continued to eat ice cream before her. “And, since there’s no telling if another, more hostile Sadness could attack, I gave it some thought, spoke to the others, and started on this.” he explained, and Lily tore herself away from the ice-cold dessert to see what he was pointing at.

Some kind of portable baggie. Something that reminded Lily of things adult cookies would use to carry their little doughlings- and she immediately locked in place upon making the connection.

«What!? But I’m not-» she sputtered in her native Cookie tongue, nearly dropping her spoon before holding onto it for dear life like her staff.

“I know. It’s… not exactly the best. But between your Sadness nature and people thinking Mira’s some kind of ‘super cool Sadness tamer’, this is the best we could come up with without causing a panic again.” Isabeau sighed as he explained, clearly not happy to be degrading a friend to a baby to be watched over (not exactly wrong, given what occurs in later days of their journey together, but still-) “Still though, if you don’t wanna do this, we can find a another way to hide you. I could start wearing a hat!” he jovially suggested, clearly trying to make Lily happy.

With a sigh, Lily shook her head “No. I… understand.” she sighed as her grip on the spoon loosened.

“You sure? Again, I don’t wanna make you uncomfortable doing this.” Isabeau says again, stressing the importance of Lily’s own agency.

“Yes.” Lily said, a tinge of defeat in her sigh, dreading what the others back home would say.

From there, and with some… surprisingly careful measurements from the Defender, in a manner of hours, a pocket-like carriage with a massive opening for Lily to move around in, and stuffed with cotton, was built. The straps were also interchangeable, so anybody could wear it and carry Lily.

And thus, on the way out of Bondue, Bonnie triumphantly displayed the Displaced Flower, to the slight mortification of said Flower. She also did not enjoy the side eye look Siffrin gave her on the side, but swallowed it, thankfully.

Thus, the legend of the one chosen by the Change God would gain a new part of her growing tale: taming the mythical Fée des Fleurs and the ability to tame others with her great kindness.

“Hey Li. You still regrettin’ being put in this?” Bonnie asked as they marched to the next Orb location.

“Not at all,” lied Lily, having learned a bit ago that the rumor had mutated further and that there were sayings of the party carrying two kids. Isabeau was walking a bit further ahead, a blush coloring his cheeks.

She sighed, wishing that this… embarrassment would be the worst of it.

Unaware of the one above, broken yet still listening would assure her that things COULD.

The End.

~~~~

WOO- that took a lot out of me. Anyways, hold onto your buts. Because (when I get to it) we're having... the Eye Incident. But it might be a bit different than you think it'll go.

Anyways, Happy Thanksgiving everyone! Enjoy.

#morning rb #rb #isat au #crk au

This is just a question about what’s coming up in the story. You don’t have to do any major spoilers but are the is stars in Time main cast gonna turn into cookies soon because I want to see that part soon for multiple reasons

To make it as simple as I can - MAYBE. And that's if I get to it after I finish everything else here. But there IS A non-canon extra story in the works to compensate for that. Two, actually.

Hope this answers your question.

#in stars and time #isat au #in stars and time au #crk au #cookie run au #ask

Hey, I saw your is stars and time X cookie run story and I think it’s pretty good

Thank you! Sorry it took so long to make it. Life and writers block got in the way. Don't know when the 3rd story will be out.

#in stars and time #isat au #isat #cookie run au #crk au #asks