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Assistant: Title: Jambound
        Author: Anonymous undefined 
        Chapter: 19/29 
        Summary: The room is too bright.It’s quaint, in a nauseating sort of way. Polished floors glint from the gleaming honeycomb chandeliers overhead, make him squint. A few vases sprinkled here and there, filling the room with a sickeningly sweet scent – even a waffle-cone headrest framing the silken sheets of a neatly-tucked bed. Outside, the golden sun gleams, the gentle rays of light spilling past curtains that waver in the afternoon breeze.It's meant to be beautiful. Luxurious. Welcoming.With one sweep of his cane, Shadow Milk tears it apart.[[ Updated semi-weekly ]]
        Contents: Chapter 19
    

    


  

  
  
    
    Pure Vanilla’s been acting funny recently.Not in an amusing sense – not any more than his usual eye-roll worthy antics anyway – but there’s something different about him that itches strangely in Shadow Milk’s dough. It’s hard to place exactly what it is, but Shadow Milk certainly knows when it started.Returning to the castle the night of the dance had been an unremarkable trip in and of itself; a simple carriage ride in quiet, even if Shadow Milk had caught Pure Vanilla watching him one too many times before the other had quickly glanced away. Their typical energy had returned the moment they’d begun climbing the steps to Pure Vanilla’s room, Shadow Milk tugging him along with a wicked grin as Pure Vanilla had stumbled and laughed breathlessly behind him.The usual antics had occurred; shoving Pure Vanilla onto the bedspread, hovering over him with a menacing smile. Perhaps there’d been a little bit of teasing going on, holding their Soul Jams juuuust far enough apart to pull a needy little sound from Pure Vanilla’s throat before Shadow Milk so kindly, oh so graciously had closed the distance.Reality melting away in blissful harmony, their selves melding and caressing at each other in blurs of color accompanied by soft, singing sighs – all commonplace. Nothing had been out of the ordinary in the slightest, just slipping into dreams accompanied by disorienting fragments of memories of the ball they’d just slipped away from.When the memory of their kiss had shone brightly in his mind, Shadow Milk had thought nothing of it. It certainly stood out from the others, but perhaps it had just lingered on Pure Vanilla’s mind from the shock of it all. It had been an enjoyable experience, one that brought a pleasant warmth to his jam to recall, but he truly hadn’t lingered on it any longer than that.When they’d woken the next morning, Shadow Milk had been mutedly surprised to find Pure Vanilla’s arms wrapped around him. The other had nestled up against him in the night, head tucked into the curve of Shadow Milk’s shoulder – again, not outright alarming, but the experience was rather new. Mostly they kept to themselves, Shadow Milk being a bit of a toss-and-turner; yet somehow Pure Vanilla had managed to cling onto him regardless.Normally, Shadow Milk wouldn’t have spared a second thought to such exchanges. Pure Vanilla’s a cuddler, Shadow Milk knows this, and he has no complaints about waking up to being enveloped by extra warmth instead of having to seek it out. But the peculiar thing is that what should have been a one-off occurrence keeps happening - along with other, stranger mannerisms that are beginning to draw his attention.Pure Vanilla has always been rather smiley, always keeping an air of contentment and calm about him; or at least, until Shadow Milk starts purposefully prodding at him. Yet lately Shadow Milk keeps glancing over to find the other watching him at odd moments; even worse, Pure Vanilla seems completely unapologetic about it. Shooting the other a curious look or a scowl only earns Shadow Milk a brighter, cheerier grin in return. Suspicious. Puzzling.There’s been a slight increase in the cheek kissing, too. While they’d initially been scattered, Pure Vanilla now seems dead-set on giving Shadow Milk one every morning and every night in what’s bordering on routine. Even midday, when Shadow Milk is lazily floating about Pure Vanilla’s head while he gardens, writes or reads, suddenly he’ll feel himself being pulled down and given a chaste peck with absolutely no explanation given.Pure Vanilla is the touchy-feely type, sure, and Shadow Milk doesn’t exactly mind it – or he wouldn’t, if Pure Vanilla didn’t smile so strangely after doing so and refuse to elaborate when questioned.Weird. Very weird.Their connections are also more frequent; Pure Vanilla seems to have taken on the burden of initiating without his usual shyness. They’re not melding together every night, but very close to it, and the newness of it all still feels… strange. Again, Shadow Milk doesn’t really mind, is more than content to play along and sink back into bliss without having to be the one doing all the work around here for once – but even their connections are just a bit off themselves.There’s a couple of repeating memories that Shadow Milk’s gotten used to; flashes of their time together in the Spire of Deceit had been especially prominent in the early days. While they’re rarely pleasant, they are able to be soothed with gentle brushes and pulses of reassurance that seem to settle Pure Vanilla’s heart before the dreams slip away. Nowadays it’s more of their normal activities that flit through Shadow Milk’s mind in scattered pieces; often there’s a few fleeting glimpses of a past day enjoyed together or a peaceful moment that had felt particularly beautiful at the time.All of this is normal, but the consistently resurfacing memory of their kiss is not.It’s hard to tell whose perspective it’s from, always a blur and more about fevered emotions and feeling of touch than something tangible to view. Yet it’s still constant, comes up every single connection to the point that Shadow Milk can no longer ignore it.Shadow Milk may dress the part of a fool, but he’s far from obtuse.Pure Vanilla wants to kiss him again.It’s a rather obvious conclusion; Shadow Milk himself can’t possibly be the one dwelling on it, so all blame must lie squarely in the hands of his companion. The realization of Pure Vanilla’s desires is unsurprising upon closer inspection; Shadow Milk Cookie is… well, Shadow Milk Cookie. Handsome, charming, good-looking, and oh-so fiendishly clever. While they’d certainly had a… tumultuous past, Pure Vanilla’s also made it abundantly clear he wants to move past that.So, Pure Vanilla Cookie wants to kiss him. Flattering. Interesting.Complicated.The thought is something Shadow Milk toys with over the next few days, weighing on him even as he continues to idly spend his time in Pure Vanilla’s presence. Each glance at the other is now weighted, appraising of each bright little smile and fond gaze that Pure Vanilla flashes his way. The other’s bubbly giggles bring a curious perk to Shadow Milk’s brow, a moment of analysis to store away for later.The real question is what’s to be done about it.Shadow Milk can continue to ignore it; it’s not really a problem to do so. Waking up in Pure Vanilla’s firm arms is fine – really, having the other’s face muffled in Shadow Milk’s neck cuts down on the snoring quite well. Increased connections aren’t actually a bad thing, leaving him pleasantly buzzing throughout the next day after a languid night of dizzying sensations. A few flashes of the kiss he’d initiated may be… revealing, but they’re not upsetting. Perhaps they should be, but Shadow Milk is perfectly content continuing to lounge about and be spoiled beneath the other’s attention if that’s how Pure Vanilla wants to play it. He’s happy with the way things are; no real need to push it further.Still, the thought of what to do about it all remains on Shadow Milk’s mind no matter how many times he tries to discard it. Perhaps it’s because of all these behaviors coupled together that keep him musing upon it, day after day. It’s clear his subconscious has no intent on letting him simply brush the matter under the rug without a clear, proper analysis first.So, one morning after Pure Vanilla’s left for a meeting, Shadow Milk pushes himself out of bed, rolls onto his side and promptly summons a whiteboard to the middle of the room. A marker appears in his hand; he uncaps it with his teeth, tapping his hand agitatedly on his knee as he considers the board before him.Pros and cons lists may be rather simple tools, but he’s always found them to be rather effective nonetheless.Shadow Milk floats over to the board, scribbling out a side for each before leaning back and giving the blank space a sweeping gaze. Hm. To start with Pros, or Cons?Cons seems easier.Con – it’s Pure Vanilla Cookie. That alone is enough to earn a notch on the board as Shadow Milk swipes the marker down, adding a small note to the side. A simple, but powerful argument.Pro – it is Pure Vanilla Cookie. He’s been… tolerable lately, clearly changing for the better if Shadow Milk isn’t finding him so repulsive. There’s been effort on his part, that much is clear, so Shadow Milk reluctantly adds a little tally to the Pro side with a sigh.Back to cons. Con – it might encourage Pure Vanilla to push farther, and they’re already skirting disaster as it is. Pure Vanilla’s own allies are beginning to turn against him, to say nothing of the Beasts opinions if they find out. And the less said of Dark Enchantress Cookie, the better.Pro – since when was Shadow Milk averse to disasters? The chaos any sort of open affection would cause would be delightful, has clearly already ruined Dark Cacao Cookie’s day and would only serve to cement Shadow Milk’s superiority. Burning Spice Cookie can rip off as many wings as he likes, Shadow Milk’s got his other half of the Soul Jam at his beck and call.Con – their past together remains a thorn in Shadow Milk’s side. He can’t undo any of their mistakes, can’t force Pure Vanilla to embrace Deceit in full when the other seems this far gone down the path of Truth. As best as he’s tried, Pure Vanilla’s glimmering radiance seems to only have grown with each passing day.Pro – Shadow Milk’s already discarded his old self once. If he wanted to – and he’s certainly not saying he is – he could... change. It’s possible, not likely, but he’s not immovable to reason. There’s been no good reason thus given but still, he’s always up for a debate.Shadow Milk floats back, inspecting the board again; a scowl as he sees he’s caught at dead even. Nothing made clear quite yet, but there’s still a ways to go.Cons, cons, cons… he has lots of those in mind, he’s sure of it. Pure Vanilla Cookie himself is an easy target. Snores, doesn’t take care of himself, can’t dress to save his life – all of these are quickly jotted down on the board as Shadow Milk smirks to himself. What else, what else…?Kind. Patient and gentle. Remarkably smooth when he wants to be. A pleasant source of warmth against Shadow Milk’s dough, a tender touch to soothe his agitated mind.Shadow Milk recoils, marker still in hand; he squints suspiciously at the board, eyes tracing uneasily over what he’s just written. Hm. The Pro side looks a little too hefty now. He needs more Cons to even it out.Con – Pure Vanilla-! Pure Vanilla…Hm. Shadow Milk clicks his tongue, tapping the bottom of the marker to his chin. Pure Vanilla what? He’s… annoying. Yes, that’s right. Very annoying. Persistent. His forehead crinkles when he laughs.Shadow Milk pauses, mentally ticking back through that last one. Is that a con? It feels like just an observation – yet where had it come from?Regardless, now both sides are even again. Unhelpful.Another sigh as Shadow Milk caps the marker. He folds both arms behind his head as he drifts backwards from the board. What to do, what to do? He can keep going, of course, but will it keep being in circles? It’s hard to puzzle out a Cookie like Pure Vanilla, so intent on defying Shadow Milk’s expectations.It’s just a kiss. It shouldn’t be this complicated.Perhaps Shadow Milk should consider his own feelings on the matter?After a moment of hesitation, Shadow Milk closes his eyes, allowing his analytical mind to slow. He focuses on his core, on the pulsing of his Soul Jam at his chest as he plucks out the memory of that night, of Pure Vanilla’s starstruck gaze and the feeling of warmth as he was clutched at, pressed into a desperate, hungry embrace-Fire sings in Shadow Milk’s jam; he abruptly snaps his eyes open, straightening rigidly as he shakes his head. No – none of that.What a pointless exercise. This world is about what he can gain or lose by any single action, a game where there is always a winner standing above the rest – and that’s exactly who Shadow Milk intends to be. If he does or doesn’t kiss Pure Vanilla again, it will be because that is the proper move to play. If it’s satisfactory. If it makes him happy.He still doesn’t know what to do, though.Perhaps an experiment is needed. The thought is idle, yet pleasing as Shadow Milk ruminates on it a bit more. He’s got his hypothesis, his what-ifs, but they’re of little import without actual testing. Why make a hasty decision before he’s able to poke and prod at the variables a little more?Yes, some good old experimentation is in order. Shadow Milk smiles to himself as he dismisses the whiteboard with a flick of his wrist, chomping down on the marker between his teeth as it dissolves into sugar on his tongue. It’s a fine idea – he’s glad he’s thought of it – and will certainly be able to put all his of internal quibbling to rest.The only question left remaining is the stage to host it on. -- “I’m still not quite clear on how to play this.”That evening finds the pair of them tucked back up – where else? – in Pure Vanilla’s bedroom, resting comfortably around the small game table Shadow Milk’d summoned to the center of the room. Two chairs frame each side, with Shadow Milk hovering comfortably above his and Pure Vanilla bent over in thought across from him. The backgammon board laid out before them only has three moves made, yet Pure Vanilla seems to be taking his sweet time thinking out his moves.Shadow Milk rolls his eyes at the wait, leaning back in his chair with a dramatic sigh. “It really couldn’t be simpler.”“I think it could.” Pure Vanilla picks up the dice, rattling them around in his palm. “Why can’t we just play chess again?”“Playing the same game over and over is boring,” Shadow Milk sighs. “You’re still no match for me.”“Really?” Pure Vanilla gives him a once-over, look suddenly turning sly. “So this has nothing to do with how I got you in check last time?”“Check is irrelevant,” Shadow Milk snaps back. “Checkmate is what matters. Don’t go getting cocky.”“Yes, dear,” Pure Vanilla hums back; he rolls his dice on the board, oblivious to the narrowed stare Shadow Milk sends his way.Another new little habit of his. Clearly meant to be in teasing jest, only ever used to end an argument – but still enough to draw Shadow Milk’s suspicious gaze.With a sigh, Shadow Milk cranes his neck back, staring lazily out the open window as Pure Vanilla’s checkers audibly click across the board. The sun’s still setting, the first vestiges of night only just beginning to crawl their way across the horizon – but at least there’s no glimpse of the moon. For now.Hm. The moon?The thought of his longtime heckler rings a bell somewhere in the back of Shadow Milk’s mind. Honestly, hadn’t she played a part in why they’d started their games in the first place? Back at the beginning, when Shadow Milk was only a hair’s breadth away from crumbling Pure Vanilla on the spot instead of just contemplating throwing him out the window again. What was it that fool had always been going on about? A moon, a blue moon…The Blue Moon Garden.Shadow Milk tilts his head to the side, a considering lift to his brow. They’d never actually gone, had they? Pure Vanilla’d lost every game they’d ever played, and nowadays his pitiful pleas are but a fading memory. Yet, perhaps there’s some promise in the notion?A fitting stage for his experiment. Why not? It’s not like Pure Vanilla will refuse to go.The sound of a throat being cleared draws Shadow Milk’s attention back. “Your turn,” Pure Vanilla says politely.“I’m bored,” Shadow Milk announces abruptly; with a flick of his wrist, the board is scattered across the floor. Pure Vanilla starts, a flash of annoyance on his face before Shadow Milk abruptly holds up a hand for silence. Shadow Milk then flips it over, holding out his palm; in the center, a shiny silver coin glints promisingly in the light. “Call it.”“What?” Pure Vanilla glances between Shadow Milk and the coin. “Call – what?”“Heads,” Shadow Milk replies slowly, “or tails? Call it.”Pure Vanilla gives him an amused, yet distinctly unimpressed once-over. “I have learned better than to bet on your coins, Shadow Milk Cookie.”Shadow Milk scoffs in mock-offense. “Are you accusing me of cheating, Nilly?”“If you did not cheat,” Pure Vanilla replies, a smile on his lips, “I would wonder who you are, and what you’ve done to my precious companion.”Precious. Another new word, casually slipped in like it’s nothing at all.“Fine.” Shadow Milk flicks the coin over to Pure Vanilla, hitting him squarely in the chest before it drops to the table. “You flip it, then.”Pure Vanilla’s gaze is wary, yet still tinged with vague amusement as he reaches to pick up the coin. “May I ask why the sudden interest?”“Stakes!” Shadow Milk summons his cane to his palm, twirling it for effect. “Games are boring me tonight! I want stakes. Action. Chaos. Getting out of this cramped little room you’ve got me locked away in for your own selfish desires.”“We could go for a walk,” Pure Vanilla replies mildly.“Stakes!” Shadow Milk taps his cane firmly on the table. “Go on, flip it.”“Hold on.” Pure Vanilla shakes his head. “You haven’t said what the stakes are.”“It’s a surprise.”Pure Vanilla’s brow immediately arches. “That sounds extremely dangerous, coming from you.”“Flatterer,” Shadow Milk purrs back. He then offers a simple smile and dismissive wave of his hand. “Hurry up and flip it. I’m crumbling of your old age over here.”A sigh follows, but surprisingly, Pure Vanilla acquiesces. The coin is flipped upwards; as it spins in mid-air, Pure Vanilla calls out: “Heads.”The coin clatters down on the table, spinning twice before abruptly falling over on its side.Tails.Shadow Milk gives the coin an amused once-over before glancing up at Pure Vanilla; the other simply shrugs his shoulders in defeat. “Oh well. What do I lose this time?”“Nah,” Shadow Milk drawls; he leans back in his chair, folding his arms behind his head. “You can go again.”Pure Vanilla blinks, open surprise in his expression. “Really?”“Sure.” Shadow Milk grins, all teeth. “Call it a pity throw. You’re just so bad at this.”“I don’t think it’s possible to be bad at a game of chance,” Pure Vanilla hums back, but he picks up the coin and tosses it back up in the air. Another set of spins before it comes hurtling down –Tails. Again.Shadow Milk snorts. “Bad at this.”Pure Vanilla gives him a look but Shadow Milk simply waves his hand again, a sign to continue. After a moment’s hesitation, Pure Vanilla grabs the coin and throws it again.Tails. Tails. Another Tails; they’re both laughing openly now as they stare down at the coin. “Seriously?” Shadow Milk snickers; Pure Vanilla’s muffling his own giggle in the sleeve of his robe.“I’m sorry!” Pure Vanilla’s eyes are crinkled with mirth, shaking his head back and forth. “I’m sorry, I don’t-” Another giggle.Shadow Milk rolls his eyes fondly, reaching over and snatching the coin from the table. He gives Pure Vanilla a long look, matching the other’s amused smile before flicking the coin into the air. A few twists before there’s a loud clatter on the table as the coin bounces and spins and spins, over and over in tight little circles-Before coming to a complete standstill perfectly balanced on its side.Shadow Milk stares in open disbelief; Pure Vanilla has doubled over in his chair, both hands clapped over his mouth to muffle his peals of laughter. A wry grin twitches on Shadow Milk’s lips as he glances between the coin and the other, still visibly shaking from his unrestrained giggling. With another roll of his eyes, Shadow Milk reaches out and pushes the coin over.Heads.“There,” Shadow Milk says, grinning as Pure Vanilla’s giggles continue to fill the air. “Was that so hard?”“Oh?” Pure Vanilla’s taking in a breath, fluttering a hand at his chest as he tries to compose himself while still wearing that same, shining smile. “Oh! Have I won?”“Yes. Against all odds, it seems.” Shadow Milk gives him an amused smirk. “Congratulations. First time for everything.”Another fluttery giggle. “I see. And what have I won?”“Well…” Shadow Milk tilts his head, pretending to consider. “I suppose we could do that thing you were always badgering me about.”“Being nice to the staff?”“No.” Shadow Milk motions to the window. “Wasn’t there some garden you were going on and on and on about?” A careless shrug. “What was it called again?”A flicker of thoughtfulness crosses Pure Vanilla’s face before his expression suddenly brightens. “Oh!” His hands clap together. “Oh, the Blue Moon Garden!” A blink. “Goodness. I’d forgotten all about that.”“Me too.” Shadow Milk pushes himself out from his chair, floating higher. “But! If that’s what the victor wants, who am I to object? You did win, after all.”“I did win.” Pure Vanilla’s smiling at him, eyes fond – so openly, unapologetically fond. For some reason the image sends a strange shiver down Shadow Milk’s dough – no. He steels himself, closing his eyes momentarily. Not the time. This is an experiment. Focus.“Shadow Milk?” A touch of concern. “Are you alright?”Shadow Milk’s eyes snap open; instantly he places a smile on his face, dipping into a bow with extravagant flourish. “Of course! Only contemplating such a devastating loss. Perhaps you’ve been the one cheating all along, hm?” Shadow Milk reaches out, grasping Pure Vanilla’s hand in his own; there’s another giggle, that same fondness that Shadow Milk refuses to bend to as he leans in and asks:“So! Where to, Dollface?” -- It turns out the location of the Blue Moon garden isn’t terribly far.Shadow Milk had expected some long, epic trip the way Pure Vanilla had been building up to it; in the end, it’s only a short flight down from the Vanilla Kingdom itself. While leading Pure Vanilla all the way there hadn’t been ideal for time’s sake, the other had seemed a little hesitant about Shadow Milk’s portals and all too delighted to be magicked up into the air alongside him once more. The other’s gasps of delight as they’d soared through the night sky had been – amusing, and the warmth of his hand in Shadow Milk’s own had kept the chill away, at least.Irrelevant to the data he’s collecting, but a nice little side-observation nonetheless.When they finally touch down, it’s in a meadow that Shadow Milk’s actually passed through before. He’d barely given the place a second glance, just another field of flowers on his journey through the kingdom; he supposes, on closer inspection, that they are moonflowers – but they’re still fairly unremarkable all things considered.As he sets Pure Vanilla on the grass, the other beams at him before his staff excitedly sweeps over the area. “Oh! How lovely.” The flowers sway gently in the breeze, a rippling sea of white that gleams as Pure Vanilla casts his staff’s light upon them. “Look! That one’s got a fresh bud.”“Yes, yes,” Shadow Milk sighs; he tries to let go of Pure Vanilla’s hand but the other is still clasping tight, turning this way and that as he smiles at the meadow. Ugh. Florists. “Nilly, they’re just flowers. You have tons of these at home.”“Oh, but not like these.” Pure Vanilla bends down – finally, he lets go of Shadow Milk’s hand, if only to lovingly caress the petals of the nearest flower. “White Lily Cookie says these are special.”Shadow Milk rolls his eyes. “Oh, well if White Lily Cookie says.”“I know you have your reasons for disliking her,” Pure Vanilla says gently, “but she really is quite knowledgeable. I’ve been writing to her-”“Don’t care,” Shadow Milk interrupts; he doesn’t want to hear it. He casts an unimpressed gaze over the field, shrugging his shoulders. “Anyway, I’ve seen better. Much better.”“Oh?” Pure Vanilla glances up. “Where?”“Around.” Shadow Milk shrugs one shoulder. “Beast Yeast’s flora comes to mind. The Bleeding Hearts in Eternal Sugar Cookie’s neck of the woods were always impressive. Mystic Flour cultivated some Jade Vines back in the day that really brightened up a room.”“That sounds wonderful.” Pure Vanilla smiles up at him. “Will you show me someday?”“Hm.” Shadow Milk averts his eyes. “They’ll crumble you first.”“I suppose that’s true.” Pure Vanilla’s settling down in the grass, carefully tucking his feet under him. “I’m quite happy here, in any case.”“But it’s boring.” Shadow Milk lolls his head to the side, sighing in exasperation at his surroundings. “Honestly, the way you kept asking, I really expected something more out of this place.”“Oh, well, there is.”Shadow Milk glances down, perking a brow.“You see,” Pure Vanilla continues, gently bracing a leaf in his palm, “once every three years, the Vanilla Kingdom is blessed with a blue moon – granted, I’m sure other places see it too, but I’ve only experienced it here. Instead of gracing us with her white light, for one night the moon glows in a beautiful cerulean hue. It’s said to be in celebration of the sea and their love for one another.”“Gross,” Shadow Milk remarks idly.Pure Vanilla chuckles before adding: “But, it is only one night. It’s quite rare. White Lily Cookie happened to come across this field during such an event, and told me that these flowers glow blue under the moon’s special light. So, she named it the Blue Moon Garden. I’ve wanted to come here on such a night ever since she told me.”Shadow Milk glances up at the sky. “Hate to break it to you Nilly, but the moon’s as plain as ever tonight.”“Well…” Pure Vanilla’s tone is surprisingly sly. “Is that… something you could change?”A blink as Shadow Milk lowers his gaze down. “Huh?”Pure Vanilla toys with a blade of grass, a small smile on his lips. “I was just curious,” he replies easily, “if a master of illusions might be able to show me what it’s like?”A beat of silence; Shadow Milk’s lips twitch into a smirk as he looks the other up and down. “Let me get this straight,” he drawls. “When you were asking for this trip, way back at the start – this was your intention.”A shy grin. “Maybe.”“How bold.” Shadow Milk folds his arms behind his back, leaning in to hover face-to-face. “You want me to move heaven and Earthbread for you, Nilly?”A pretty little bat of Pure Vanilla’s eyes; Shadow Milk has no idea if it’s intentional or not, but the sight makes his jam sing in reply.  “Please?”Well. Shadow Milk’s not made of stone.He heaves a dramatic sigh, shaking his head as he floats backwards. “Oh, Nilly. You really are so high maintenance.” Shadow Milk twists in the air, directing his gaze skywards. A quick flourish of his cane as he points it at the moon; his eyes narrow as power swells in his palm, feeling the tendrils of reality bending to his command.The sky bleeds black, drowning out the stars in an inky abyss as darkness spreads across the horizon. The moon shivers as Shadow Milk drapes a curtain of sapphire across her, leaving her once brilliant radiance faded into a softer, gentler blue. It’s an illusion, nothing more, but a quick glance back at Pure Vanilla’s sparkling eyes tells him it’s an effective one.Less importantly, the moonflowers seem to have taken notice themselves. The once milky-white petals are shimmering beneath the new moon’s glow, pearlescence now tinged a dusky blue. Pure Vanilla lets out a delighted gasp, pushing himself to his feet as he turns this way and that – his robe twirls as he takes in the shimmering field surrounding them, each flower a radiant jewel that gleams proudly beneath Shadow Milk’s tender illusion.It is, admittedly, a rather lovely sight; perhaps made lovelier by Pure Vanilla’s bright, shining smile as he takes it all in. The other’s enthusiasm feels infectious, drawing an amused smile of Shadow Milk’s own as he floats back down, watching Pure Vanilla excitedly step through the field and openly marvel at the sights.“Oh,” Pure Vanilla sighs happily, hands coming up to clutch at his chest. “It’s beautiful.”“So high maintenance,” Shadow Milk drawls back, twisting in the air to hover at Pure Vanilla’s side. “Yet oh-so simple to please.”Pure Vanilla beams up at him, gaze so heavy and fond. He lifts a hand; Shadow Milk closes his eyes, instinctively leaning into the touch as the hand caresses his cheek. “Thank you, Shadow Milk Cookie.”Shadow Milk hums back; when he languidly cracks his eyes open once more, Pure Vanilla is still smiling at him, still tenderly brushing his hand over Shadow Milk’s cheek.They’re close. Shadow Milk feels strangely floaty, a distant acknowledgment of the warmth in his jam feeling more and more muddled by each inhale of that soft vanilla scent. It’d be easy to simply close the distance, to test the hypothesis that had brought him out here in the first place. Pure Vanilla’s gentle gaze is openly inviting, no trace of a refusal in his smile.Yet it feels different from before. There’s no background murmurs of partygoers, no jealous admirer glaring at them from behind closed curtains. Shadow Milk lacks the fine draperies of Lady Milk Crown Cookie to shield himself from whatever may happen next. If Shadow Milk gives in, if he leans forward to press his lips to Pure Vanilla’s once more –An experiment. It’s an experiment, nothing more, nothing – else.Is it?A sudden spark of anxiousness twists in his chest; before he realizes, Shadow Milk is recoiling, sharply pulling himself from Pure Vanilla’s grasp. The other blinks in surprise, a querying look that Shadow Milk quickly averts his eyes from as he turns away.“What’s wrong?”“Oh,” Shadow Milk sighs dramatically, allowing the fluttering, nervous feeling in his chest add additional flourish to his tone. “Oh, I just can’t make up my mind! What to do, what to do!” He floats higher, out of any sneakily grasping reach, hands clasped behind his back. “Really, you’re making this so difficult.”“Am I?” Pure Vanilla’s tone is polite, yet curious. “And what am I troubling you with, I wonder?”“I told you, I’m still making up my mind.” Shadow Milk keeps his face turned away, rocking back and forth in the air on his heels. “Not an easy decision, mind you. It feels oh-so precarious to indulge you, Pure Vanilla Cookie.”“Ah.” Amusement, plain as day. “May I ask what sort of indulgence you’re considering?”“No.” Instant, perhaps a bit too petulant for Shadow Milk’s liking. “It’s none of your business.”A hum in reply; Shadow Milk can hear the grass shift, as if Pure Vanilla’s taking a step closer. “Are you sure? Perhaps I could help make up your mind.”Shadow Milk casts a coy glance over his shoulder, down to the other looking back at him. “Maybe,” he says after a moment. “In what way?”“Well,” Pure Vanilla replies easily, “you’ve always enjoyed debates. Why don’t we each argue a side of your… indecision?”Hm. That’s a thought.Shadow Milk leans forward, propping up his chin with one hand. “I don’t know,” he drawls. “I’ve already made a Pros and Cons list. It didn’t get me very far.”“Really.” Pure Vanilla gives him a sweeping gaze, a sly smile on his lips. “I would have liked to see this list.”“You wouldn’t.” Shadow Milk flutters his lashes. “I was mean.”“I don’t doubt it.” Pure Vanilla offers a hand up with a beckoning motion; begrudgingly, Shadow Milk floats back down to his level, arms crossing over his chest. “So,” Pure Vanilla continues, perking a brow, “which side would you like to take?”Shadow Milk scoffs. “You don’t even know what we’re debating.”“I have a feeling,” Pure Vanilla replies easily, “that I’ll figure it out as we go.”“Hmph.” Shadow Milk allows a grin of his own. “So cocky! A point against you, and we haven’t even started.”“Oh dear. I suppose I’ll have to do better, then.” Pure Vanilla c@cks his head. “So, which side-?”“I’ll argue against,” Shadow Milk decides. “You can argue for.”“Alright.” Pure Vanilla gives him another amused look. “As the affirmative side, shall I start?”“Yes. But make it quick.” Shadow Milk leans back to rest in mid-air, gaze lazily tracing over the other. “A few sentences. A snappy back-and-forth.”“Hm.” Pure Vanilla’s expression is thoughtful, still largely amused before he replies. “Well. I’ll suppose I’ll start by arguing that if it’s something you’re considering one way or another, it’s something you want to do. After all, you never do any less than what you please.”“I’m not wholly opposed to the idea,” Shadow Milk hums back. “But that’s a rather obvious statement in the first place. There are plenty of things I want to do, but there are always consequences to any action, silly old fool.”“I see. May I ask if you know what those consequences are?”Shadow Milk casually raises his eyes skyward. “Not entirely. Which is what complicates the matter. Frankly, doing nothing at all nets me zero of these consequences, which is what I’m leaning towards.”“Oh?” Pure Vanilla’s smile is back. “I did not consider you a Cookie of inaction. Is that not against your character, to play avoiding risk?”Ooh. This draws a narrowing of Shadow Milk’s eyes, lowering his attention back down as Pure Vanilla looks him over.“I think,” Pure Vanilla says serenely, “that is a point for me.”“I do not play avoiding risk,” Shadow Milk snaps, straightening up in mid-air. “I play to win. Whatever move I make, it is to suit my purposes.”“Are you truly winning if you can’t do as you wish?” Pure Vanilla takes another step forward, openly ignoring Shadow Milk’s scowl. “Clearly it’s something you desire if you’re willing to argue it out.”“It’s not my desires,” Shadow Milk retorts hotly. “It’s yours.” Pure Vanilla perks a brow. “Mine?”Shadow Milk glowers down at him; a brief moment of hesitation before he venomously spits: “You want to kiss me.”Silence. It stretches on for a long time, long enough for Shadow Milk to embarrassedly avert his eyes from Pure Vanilla’s stunned expression. He puts his back to the other, folding his arms across his chest as he stubbornly stares on the moon glimmering cheekily back at him. Even clad in his perfect blue, she mocks him.Annoying. This whole trip is annoying.Worse, there’s the sound of a giggle behind him. Shadow Milk instantly whirls around, feeling an angry flush to his face – only to see Pure Vanilla hiding his face in the sleeve of his robe, chuckling to himself as if Shadow Milk wouldn’t notice, as if Shadow Milk’s not right there.“Stop it,” Shadow Milk snaps, the heat in his cheeks flaring further. “You little pest. You think this is funny?”“I do,” Pure Vanilla chuckles, lifting his gaze with a fond smile. “But only because it’s you.”“Shut up.” Shadow Milk’s words come out as a hiss, grip on his arms tightening. “Bothersome little gnat. The answer’s no, by the way. So thank you ever so much for helping me decide to never humor you again.”Pure Vanilla huffs a soft laugh, his eyes crinkling as he takes another step forward; he reaches out, offering a hand that Shadow Milk pointedly refuses. “Oh, but you can’t decide yet,” Pure Vanilla replies, smile unabated. “I’ve only just learned what I’m arguing for, and on a topic I’ve taken quite an interest in no less.”“Don’t care,” Shadow Milk sneers back. “I’ve made up my mind.”“Are you absolutely sure?” Pure Vanilla hums back, soft and teasing. “I’d like to state my case, if you’ll hear it.”“I won’t.” Shadow Milk turns away, putting his back to the other. “Prattle on all you like. It won’t make a difference.”“Then prattle on I shall.” The audible swish of Pure Vanilla’s robes betrays him; as he takes a step to Shadow Milk’s side, Shadow Milk stubbornly turns the other way to avoid him. Another chuckle, before Pure Vanilla remarks: “I enjoyed kissing you.”Shadow Milk rolls his eyes. Obviously.“I,” Pure Vanilla continues, taking another step that Shadow Milk twists to avoid, “think you enjoyed kissing me too. I think you wouldn’t be considering doing it again if you hadn’t.”Drivel. Pure Vanilla’s the one dwelling on this, infecting their dreamscape with this… obsession of his. Shadow Milk isn’t affected at all; this heat in his cheeks is fury, nothing more.A hand reaches up; Shadow Milk swiftly jerks his head away, floating several feet back. Pure Vanilla, infuriatingly, chuckles again.“You’re so shy.”This, oh, this makes Shadow Milk whirl around, disbelief and white-hot anger flaring with in a dizzying rush. He lunges for Pure Vanilla, grabbing him by the collar as he yanks the other in close, baring his teeth. “You,” he hisses, “have done enough talking.”“No, I haven’t.” Pure Vanilla is revoltingly unaffected, still smiling even with Shadow Milk’s snarl inches from his face. “You haven’t kissed me yet.”Shadow Milk’s face twists in disgust, shoving Pure Vanilla backwards; the other stumbles a bit, but his smile is unflinching. “I,” Shadow Milk declares furiously, “am not kissing you.”Pure Vanilla c@cks his head. “Are you sure?”“I am sure.” Shadow Milk folds his arms back across his chest, glare furious and stubborn. “I’m not kissing you.”“What a shame.” Pure Vanilla’s own gaze slides downwards, a casual shrug of his shoulders. “I suppose I’ll have to find someone else to kiss me, then.”Shadow Milk… isn’t entirely sure what happens after that.The sky darkens; he knows this because every scrap of light is blotted out around him, save for the shining beacon that is Pure Vanilla’s staff. It, somehow, lies several feet away, knocked to the side and laying amongst the flowers instead of gripped in the hand of its owner. An owner that now lies flat on his back in the grass, arms pinned down by the wrist while Shadow Milk –Well. Shadow Milk is the one pinning him down.There is a fleeting, unnerving thought that Shadow Milk has no idea what he looks like right now. He’s distantly aware of the shadows pouring off his form, of how his hair is lifting and writhing like furious snakes as every one of his eyes lock onto Pure Vanilla beneath him. Pure Vanilla own expression is one of shock, eyes wide as he stares up into Shadow Milk’s wild, unknowable expression.Is he frightened? He should be. Shadow Milk’s breaths are coming too quick for his own liking, a cold and terrible feeling numbing his limbs. He’s not sure how they got there. He’s not sure why he’s holding Pure Vanilla down, why the other isn’t shoving him off, flinching away, refusing his touch.He’s also not sure why Pure Vanilla’s look of surprise is melting away into something soft and openly, unapologetically fond.“Ah,” Pure Vanilla sighs, “my apologies. I should not have played upon your jealousies.”Jealousies? What jealousies? And why isn’t he afraid? Shadow Milk is looming menacingly, more shadow than Cookie, yet Pure Vanilla lies here unaffected? Where had all the fear, the terror of him gone? Why is Pure Vanilla smiling up without hesitance?A hand slips from his grasp, reaching up to touch his cheek; Shadow Milk’s flinches, but it does not draw away. “I do not know,” Pure Vanilla murmurs softly, “what consequences you have imagined, or what fear stills your hand. But you do not need to rush such things. I will be here when you are ready, Shadow Milk Cookie.”Ready?Pure Vanilla’s hand drops as he lets out a low, contented sigh. “Thank you for the garden. I had a wonderful time.” A small smile. “Shall we head home?”Home.Shadow Milk’s lips curl in a sneer. “We’re not done here.”Pure Vanilla’s head lolls to the side. “We’re not?”“I,” Shadow Milk hisses, “am not afraid of you, or the Ancients, or the Witches themselves. I am not afraid of your pitiful consequences. If I want to kiss you, I will.”A soft hum, eyes lidding. “And?” Pure Vanilla murmurs back. “Do you want to kiss me?”“I don’t know.”It’s immediate and honest, revoltingly so. The most honest thing he’s said all night. Nauseating. Dizzying.Pure Vanilla’s smile softens. “It’s alright. As I said, I will be here when you’re ready.” His eyes close as he continues: “If you’d like, for dinner we could- mmph!”Whatever nonsense Pure Vanilla had been about to say is lost, because Shadow Milk is yanking him up into a fierce, furious kiss.It’s certainly different from their first, yet still familiar in how Pure Vanilla stills in surprise. Shadow Milk pulls him closer, angrily nipping at the other’s lip to get him to move; only to feel Pure Vanilla’s arms start to encircle him as the other begins hungrily kissing him back. Hands sliding over Shadow Milk’s back, gripping in his hair, deepening the kiss as a breath is gasped between them –Before Shadow Milk abruptly plants his hands on Pure Vanilla’s chest, shoving the other back down and breaking the kiss with a sharp hiss.Pure Vanilla stares vacantly upwards as Shadow Milk glowers down at him; there are no words exchanged before Shadow Milk pushes himself upwards, floating high into the air as he continues pinning Pure Vanilla with his glare.When the other reaches out, mouth opening in question, Shadow Milk immediately turns and zips away, soaring high above the treetops to vanish from the other’s sight. His heart is a drumbeat in his chest, his Soul Jam singing in both jubilation and annoyance in perfect tandem – Shadow Milk ignores it all, schooling his scowl as he folds his arms across his chest.That little pest can walk home tonight.'
User: Summarize the chapter based on the content provided, ensuring to follow the set format and emphasize key aspects within the specified length.
User: Summarize the chapter based on the content provided, ensuring to follow the set format and emphasize key aspects within the specified length.
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