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Assistant: Title: Jambound
        Author: Anonymous undefined 
        Chapter: 8/32 
        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 8
    

    


  

  
  
    
    All in all, it doesn’t take too terribly long for the party to die down.Another half-hour or so, several more mugs poured and songs sung and slowly, eventually, Cookies start filtering out of the bar to stumble drunkenly into the streets. Candles are snuffed one by one, plates and glasses are cleared as the innkeep bustles from table to table; eventually, the only Cookies left are the handful remaining at Pure Vanilla’s table. Even their raucous chorus of cheers has quieted, more contemplative and slow conversations drifting through the air over small cups of coffee to keep them wakeful.Shadow Milk isn’t really listening either way. The shadows cast across the ceiling by long wooden beams have been a perfect place to resume his dozing; the warmth of the gentle fire crackling in the hearth perfectly balanced against the chilly draft seeping through the patchwork roof.He’d hoped for some juicy secrets, some nasty little tidbits that all Cookies seem to share with loosened tongues – flirtatious wives, duplicitous trades, that sort of thing. But, perhaps unsurprisingly, the only thing the Cookies around Pure Vanilla have to share are tedious old stories about ‘the good old days’ from the village, along with teasing jabs about his robes, his hair, his absence.Pure Vanilla has taken it all in stride; for the few minutes Shadow Milk’s bothered to tune in, the other’s been chuckling and conversing with the best of them. Pure Vanilla’s hands haven’t left his staff, true, but his perfect countenance hasn’t wavered even a crack as he smiles warmly through it all.If Black Raisin Cookie had spoken true, Shadow Milk can’t help but feel a little titillated at how smoothly the other lies.Eventually the bar is closed and last candle is snuffed; the innkeep goes so far as to actively clear the table in front of them, plucking the glass from the largest Cookie’s hands with a perk of his brow. There’s a few groans, some drunken wheedling that leads nowhere and finally, the last of the Cookies push themselves up and say their farewells.Curiously, Pure Vanilla remains – still sitting on his stool, still sipping at his tea. With the bar quiet now, Shadow Milk notices the other’s frequent glances at the window, the way he shifts in his seat every few seconds before casting his gaze down into his mug.“Staying the night?” The innkeep is polishing up the last of the glasses; he hadn’t kicked Pure Vanilla out with the rest, but that’s hardly surprising. “You know there’s always a room for you here if you need it.”“I’m not sure.” Pure Vanilla’s tired gaze lifts, another perfect smile in place. “But I appreciate your kindness.”The innkeep shrugs with a smile of his own. “Anything for Healer Cookie.”Pure Vanilla laughs; it rings oddly, tinged with a strange sort of melancholy. “I haven’t been called that in quite some time.”Another shrug as the innkeep sets the glass down. “Not a bad title, in my opinion. Good memories with it for me.”“Yes,” Pure Vanilla replies, smile softening slightly. “I suppose so.” He glances out the window yet again; there’s visible hesitation before he continues: “May I.. step outside a moment? Before you lock up?”“Of course. I’m not going to shut the doors on you.”“Thank you.” Pure Vanilla pushes himself up from his stool, leaning heavily on his staff. “I’ll just be a moment.”Shadow Milk watches silently as Pure Vanilla shuffles across the room; as he slips out the inn door, Shadow Milk melds back into the cracks between the wood, sliding through until he can peer along the outside of the walls.Pure Vanilla strides through the darkness with surprising ease; his pace is quickened, not slow and careful as he rounds the inn’s corner, footfalls loudly announcing his presence in the silence of the night. Shadow Milk slithers along as he follows the other around another turn, a dip in the path, a quick duck to the right –Ah.Back in the courtyard.Pure Vanilla openly scans his surroundings; his face is unreadable, milky eyes picking through what little his staff illuminates. Shadow Milk watches as the other’s gaze travels over the shattered glass of the bottles, the discarded basket, the half-pecked apples strewn about on the stones.A gust of wind brushes past, rustling Pure Vanilla’s robes. He raises his gaze towards the sky, eyes searching the inky black as if looking for-Well. Shadow Milk knows who he’s looking for.Whatever Pure Vanilla is thinking goes unannounced. After several long moments of silence he turns, leaving the courtyard to head back the way he’d come.Shadow Milk follows him closely, slipping from shadow to shadow as he tries to catch a closer glimpse of the other’s face - yet Pure Vanilla’s mask is unmovable, expression rigid as if carved into stone since the moment he’d stepped into the courtyard. The only change comes when he re-enters the building, eyes softening as he gives the innkeep a placid smile.“I… think I’ll stay the night.” -- The room isn’t shabby.Perhaps the innkeeper just gave more attention to the places Cookies would be lodging; perhaps Pure Vanilla is just receiving the royal treatment. Both would be unsurprising, but the relative poshness of the place certainly is.It’s still rustic, still carries a lingering scent of smoke and pine in the air – but the room is freshly wallpapered, its floors layered in plush, cream-wool carpet. The bed, while certainly smaller than the ones the castle boasts, is decently sized and covered in a thick, patchwork quilt. By the window lies a small reading table and chair, furnished with a raisin-bun teapot, along with a mirrored dresser against the far wall.It's by this dresser that Pure Vanilla sits, a borrowed brush in hand as he runs it slowly through his hair. His gaze is vacant, his movements slow – he’s been lost in thoughts for ages, long enough for Shadow Milk to grow agonizingly bored from his perch in the shadows.He’d expected – something. Something more than the other Cookie moving around in utter silence, more than a night of sitting around in borrowed bedclothes and absently toying with the small braids decorating golden hair.It’s all rather boring, even if it is clearly, painfully obvious by now that Pure Vanilla is upset.Shadow Milk is a bit surprised to find himself so tickled by the sight. As much as he enjoys watching Pure Vanilla writhe in discomfort, he’d still dismissed the other’s offerings of mutual contentment as nothing more than a half-baked ploy - yet here Pure Vanilla sits, acting out his sorrows for a perceived audience of none. There’s a certain something to it, a sense of satisfaction from observing the quiet mannerisms of Pure Vanilla’s unhappiness, or the tedium of his slow yet careless movements. His traversal through the courtyard, the constant, idle glances at the windows – he may not know the other is watching, but it almost feels like a special treat made just for Shadow Milk’s own ego.Pure Vanilla is unhappy he is gone. His furtive glances are a silent plea, an open casting call for a sign of Shadow Milk’s presence.Which is all well and good – he should be uncertain, on edge concerning Shadow Milk’s decision. His laughter and smiles at the inn had been grating, a mirage of perceived confidence in the other’s return. Yet here, in solitude, worry is plainly etched into his dough, quiet misery palpable as he lowers his head and lets out a long, tired sigh.Shadow Milk preens at the sight.When Pure Vanilla rises, Shadow Milk expects him to finish brushing out his ends; instead, the other Cookie simply tosses the brush on the counter before shuffling off towards the bed. He sits himself down on the edge, spreading his arms before falling backwards; he bounces slightly from the impact, pushing another heavy sigh from his chest.My, my, how dramatic. Shadow Milk’s almost proud.The shadows cast from the bedside lamp provide an easy pathway, letting Shadow Milk slither his way down until he’s tucked above the headboard. From this angle he can see Pure Vanilla’s eyes droop; there’s a slight fluttering, a hint of resistance to the motion before they slip shut.Well now, that won’t do. Shadow Milk hasn’t even made his grand entrance yet.He picks his moment carefully, eyes scanning possible jumping-out points as options tick through his head. Eventually, he settles on the simplest choice, the tried and true – after all, it’s not like a spectacle will pierce closed eyes.Slipping out from the darkness, Shadow Milk materializes above Pure Vanilla’s head, floating eye to eye opposite where the other lay. When there’s no reaction, no movement save for a slow breath, Shadow Milk casually remarks:“So what’d you get me?”The reaction is immediate, predictable; Shadow Milk immediately snaps his head to the side, narrowly avoiding the impact from Pure Vanilla bolting upright in bed. The other immediately turns, eyes wide and mouth slightly agape as he takes in Shadow Milk’s lazy smile and purposefully relaxed posture. “Shadow-”“Miss me?” Shadow Milk queries easily, a mocking lift to his brow.“Y-” Pure Vanilla hesitates, as if expecting a trick question. “I wasn’t… sure, if-”“As you should be. I’m not agreeing to anything just yet.” Shadow Milk pivots in mid-air, leaning in closer as he drinks in Pure Vanilla’s shock, the glimmer of surprise turned gleam of misplaced hope. “What, you think you can tie me down that easily? With my options? I don’t see a ring on my finger.”“I- what?” Pure Vanilla’s brow wrinkles in confusion; there’s an audible sniff as he subtly leans in closer, eyes scrunching for a moment before he asks: “Wait, have you been drinking?”“Yep,” Shadow Milk replies, popping the p for effect.“Oh.” Pure Vanilla blinks, renewed hesitance on his face. “Um, where did you-?”“What can I say?” Shadow Milk replies, spreading his hands in a mock shrug. “That Black Raisin Cookie of yours isn’t as stale as I thought. She’s not half-bad for company once she’s three glasses in.”“Black Raisin Cookie?” Pure Vanilla’s eyes widen, head recoiling slightly in surprise. “You and Black Raisin Cookie were… drinking together?”Shadow Milk c@cks an eyebrow. “Jealous?”A flicker - a fleeting, telling glance away before Pure Vanilla’s meeting his eyes again. “Of course not.”Ooh. A pretty little lie, just for him.Shadow Milk hums; he leans forward, pressing the tip of his cane to Pure Vanilla’s forehead. The other blinks, offering no resistance as Shadow Milk slowly pushes him back down onto the bed. He seems befuddled more than anything, milky eyes searching Shadow Milk’s lazy smile for answers.“Been a while,” Shadow Milk remarks; his gaze flicks down to the Soul Jam before tilting his head in mock inquiry. “Shall we kiss and make up?”Pure Vanilla flushes instantly; Shadow Milk cackles at the sight as the other bats the cane away. “Goodness,” Pure Vanilla grumbles, averting his eyes again. “Just how much did you have to drink?”Shadow Milk just hums again, folding his arms back behind his back. His buzz, while fading, is still there; while it’s certainly not as potent as before, there remains a pleasant warmth within his jam. “Don’t complain,” he chides, leaning down; their foreheads brush, brooches now a hair’s breadth apart.The pull is strong, this close. A drumbeat of longing, invisible hooks trying to tug him down even as Shadow Milk resists, forcing himself to drink in the sensation a moment longer. He can feel his Soul Jam’s pulse, resonating in time with Pure Vanilla’s own; the other looks half-drunk himself, his wide-eyed gaze turning hazy as Shadow Milk slowly looks him over. “You’ve caught me in a good mood,” Shadow Milk murmurs, an easy smile upon his lips. “Why not take advantage, hm?”Hesitation; Pure Vanilla suddenly tensing beneath him, uncertainty lacing his brow.Shadow Milk just rolls his eyes, pressing in to close the distance.Clink.The room melts away in a blur of color; Shadow Milk feels his own eyes slip shut, darkness swallowing his senses as he sinks into the abyss.It’s warm, pleasantly so; he’s walking on a path of stars, each step a glowing footprint on a sea of rippling, inky black. A blue crescent moon hangs high in the sky, mirrored in the waters below – another step and he is sinking, gravity pulling him down with a guttural cry. Seawater fills his lungs; above, the moon glitters brilliantly, winking back at his dying gasps with a teasing smile.He trudges through the sands of a burning desert, wipes his brow amidst the overgrowth of a sweltering jungle. He stands, shivering, in sugar-snow covered plains with a dark forest pressing in all around him. Something is moving near him, something that slips the corners of his vision with each turn of his head. He calls desperately to it – yet his lips do not move. No sound escapes his throat. The forest presses closer, branches scraping at his dough as he throws his arms over his face-He is back in the abyss. There is no sound, no sight. He is alone, phantom sensations of what once had been touch crawling up his arms.There is warmth at his back, a heaviness leaning against him. Another heartbeat, thumping in time to his own; a hand at his wrist, squeezing so tight he feels he may break. The sensation is foreign, exhilarating. Terrifying.Something wet slides down his cheek.The world blurs again; the visions swim together, a haze of color and blanket sound that begin dripping away from his consciousness bit by bit. Shadow Milk feels his lashes flutter, feels the pull lessening as he breathes – by the time he manages to pry his eyes open, the sensations are dulled, a strange sort of murkiness in the back of his mind.Shadow Milk pushes himself up on his stomach, blinking away the sleep from his eyes as he absently surveys the room. It’s still dark out; the beside lamp blazes obnoxiously bright, but the shadows of the night still cloak the rest of their surroundings with a pleasant stillness. Through the curtained window, moon shines brightly overhead, a sliver of light that glints mischievously back at him.Shadow Milk can’t quite place why, but the sight of it irritates him.His tired gaze drops to the form beside him; Pure Vanilla Cookie is still fast asleep on his back, eyes closed and head lolling to the side. His golden hair is a mess, falling all over his face as if he’d been tossing and turning. Each slow, steady breath he takes ruffles the strands covering his mouth with a soft puff of air.How unkempt.Shadow Milk scoots himself up, partially tucking his legs as he leans on his right arm to lazily gaze over the other. In this position, Pure Vanilla’s cheek rests against Shadow Milk’s thigh; his breaths warm a small patch of dough, even through Shadow Milk’s immaculately tailored suit.Perhaps it’s the fading vestiges of the connection refusing to let go – perhaps it’s that persistent, pleasant buzzing from one too many drinks still sloshing around in his jam. Yet Shadow Milk finds himself reaching out, absently pushing back the stray strands of hair from Pure Vanilla’s face and resting his palm against the other’s cheek.His dough feels so strange to the touch. Shadow Milk presses lightly, watching it indent from the motion – it’s familiar, yet so different to his own. Shadow Milk is baked to last, his dough hardened to weather time and blade immemorial. Clearly the Witches felt they’d made him too well, because his replacement feels nothing like that. Pure Vanilla is soft, malleable.Squishy.Shadow Milk pokes and prods at the other’s face, absentmindedly watching the dough squash and stretch beneath his touch. His not-so-tender ministrations begin to rouse the other; there’s a groan, a fluttering of lashes before Pure Vanilla’s eyes flicker open. His gaze is hazy and vacant, drifting across the ceiling as he offers several slow blinks – before his eyes land on Shadow Milk’s own, recognition visibly dawning in their depths.Pure Vanilla gazes blankly at him; Shadow Milk gazes back. A beat of silence, the entire world narrowed down to the warmth of his hand resting against Pure Vanilla’s cheek and the other’s wide, searching gaze.Shadow Milk pinches – hard. “Squish.”A sharp wince; Pure Vanilla’s eyes scrunch up. “Ow.” He doesn’t withdraw, doesn’t bat at Shadow Milk’s hand. He merely tilts his head as if trying to lean away – yet only serving to push his face further into Shadow Milk’s thigh.A grin, sharp and wicked as Shadow Milk’s hand follows, nudging at the dough just below the other’s eye. “Squash.”Pure Vanilla groans; he turns his head in full, burying his face against Shadow Milk’s leg. “Stop.”Shadow Milk’s hand traces upwards, grasping upon a loose strand of golden hair before giving it a quick tug. “Yoink.”A sigh, low and heavy; Pure Vanilla rolls his head back slightly, a single eye squinting upwards. “Having fun?”“Maybe.” Shadow Milk keeps idly tugging on the other’s locks, enjoying the tiny wince he earns from time to time. “Maybe not.”Pure Vanilla fixes him with an unimpressed look. “You’re still drunk.”“Maybe,” Shadow Milk repeats. He’s not really sure what he is; his initial tipsiness has long since faded away, but their connection had – reinvigorated it, perhaps? He feels oddly pleasant, a sort of giddy, mischievous delight tiptoeing its way through his dough.Whatever, he feels nice. He’s not going to overthink it.Pure Vanilla exhales slowly, reburying his face in Shadow Milk’s leg as he scrunches up, settling into the bed as if getting ready to sleep. “Are you going to poke me all night?”“You should be so lucky.” Shadow Milk flicks the side of the other’s chin. “Besides, be more grateful, hm? I gave you what you wanted.” Pure Vanilla lifts his head up again, gaze searching; Shadow Milk grins at him, all teeth. “Moi. Me and my glorious, unparalleled presence. Aren’t we so, so pleased? I know you missed me.”Pure Vanilla lowers his head back down, eyes closing again. “Yes.”“Mm?” Shadow Milk leans in, his own hair falling over his shoulders from the movement. “Yes what?”“Yes,” Pure Vanilla sighs, “I missed you.”Shadow Milk drags a stray lock of golden hair out of place. “Which is a ridiculous sentiment, by the way.”“May I go back to sleep now?”“I mean, don’t get me wrong.” Shadow Milk twirls the hair back and forth, watching it slip from his palm. “I thought you were just deluding yourself like usual. And, you know, you still are. But as the handsomest, cleverest, and most sophisticated Cookie in all the land, I will admit I see your point. Can I truly blame a foolish little thing like you for pining?”Pure Vanilla says nothing; his eyes are closed, openly trying to ignore him.Shadow Milk tugs on the other’s hair, hard – Pure Vanilla winces, cracking open a reluctant eye. “Y’know,” Shadow Milk remarks easily, “you really are just the silliest. Silly Vanilly.”Pure Vanilla’s eyes open in full.“See,” Shadow Milk continues, toying with the hem of Pure Vanilla’s collar, “I already gave you what you wanted. More than that, really – everything you could possibly want! An entire, perfect world, carved out for just the two of us. Forever! But you, well…”Shadow Milk taps Pure Vanilla’s forehead. “You.” Tap. “Said.” Tap. “No.”Pure Vanilla shifts, trying to rise; Shadow Milk’s hand drops, pushing down on the other’s chest to force him still.“It’s so funny, don’t you think?” Shadow Milk leans over, taking Pure Vanilla’s face in his hands. They’re only inches apart now; Pure Vanilla’s gaze is uneasy, uncertain as Shadow Milk stares him down. “Guess that cheesy, greedy little Cookie friend of yours is rubbing off on you. You want to remain at my side, but already shot down my oh-so generous offer once. So, are you having second thoughts?”“It wasn’t perfect.”Shadow Milk’s brow c@cks. “What’s that?”Pure Vanilla holds his gaze; his eyes have softened, something small and sad within their depths. “The world you made, it wasn’t perfect. He wouldn’t have stayed.”“Hm.” Shadow Milk’s eyes narrow; his grip on Pure Vanilla’s face tightens. “And why would he have any say in it?”A long moment of silence passes between them; Pure Vanilla, avoiding his gaze, while Shadow Milk holds him down and pins him with his own.Finally, Pure Vanilla slowly, carefully lifts a hand. Shadow Milk follows its movements, watches its careful ascent until it pauses, hovering over Shadow Milk’s Soul Jam. Pure Vanilla’s palm flattens, gently brushing against the cold metal –The world twists; Shadow Milk tenses as the room spins out from under him in a blur of color, darkness twisting around writhing strands of light as his vision swims.The moon winks back at him – no. Not the moon.A giant eye, his eyes, blinking in the night sky. The feeling of cold wind in his robes, fluttering his sleeves in the breeze. Darkness, perpetual midnight all around him – staring out from the top of the spire on the cusp of the ledge, barely feeling the staff grasped tightly in his hand.The sound of his own voice from behind, chattering away as he stands in silence.His gaze slowly slides down, down past the tower’s ledge. Down where there is nothing but emptiness and silence, nothing but a plummet so steep it would shatter him before he hit the ground.There’s a laugh behind him, a mocking sing-song inquiry that is swallowed by the howling wind. His mind is silent, screaming, a roaring cacophony of emptiness and nauseating dread.He takes another step, and his foot meets air.The world twists again; Shadow Milk gasps as he’s thrown out of the vision, as dull wooden walls and flickering candlelight swim back into view. He recoils, hands grasping wildly at his brooch – he snaps his cold, furious gaze back down to Pure Vanilla, who stares back with that same, quiet sadness.“He wouldn’t have stayed.”That phrase – that damned phrase, so soft on Pure Vanilla’s lips, echoes violently in Shadow Milk’s ears. His lips twist in a snarl as he lunges, hands clenching tight around Pure Vanilla’s wrists as he pins the other to the bed. “So what?” he sneers; his heart is still racing, the vestiges of the vision still leaving him swallowing breath. “You think that would have changed anything? Nothing leaves my Spire, not even your sad, pathetic little soul. Crumble away as many times as you want – I’ll put you back together myself.”Pure Vanilla doesn’t fight him, doesn’t resist as Shadow Milk looms dangerously over him. He simply watches, head cocked to the side as he traces his eyes over Shadow Milk’s sneer – considering. Appraising. Finally, his lips part as he murmurs:“So let me.”A blink. “What?”“Let me stay with you.”Shadow Milk’s grip slackens; he scans Pure Vanilla’s steady gaze, his own disbelieving.“If you would do all that…” Pure Vanilla shifts, lolling his head to the other side. “If you would do everything in your power to keep me, forever – why now will you not allow me to remain by your side?”Another beat of silence; Shadow Milk stares as Pure Vanilla slips from his grasp, the other’s hands rising up to caress his face. Pure Vanilla’s expression is disturbingly tender, softness and sadness in equal tandem as he lays beneath him.It’s dizzying in its surrealness.“What are you talking about?” Shadow Milk’s voice sounds foreign in his ears. “What’s wrong with you?”Pure Vanilla hums; a non-answer.“You’ve got a sick sense of humor.” Shadow Milk wants to pull away – his mind is screaming for it – but something about the sheer strangeness, the unnerving gentleness in Pure Vanilla’s touch keeps him still. “You’re going to show me that, then ask to stay? You wanted to-”The words stick in his throat; he feels wrong, raw all over. He hadn’t even known Pure Vanilla could show him – memories? What-ifs? Possessing a knowledge of their link even he’d lacked, displaying it so casually with a simple touch - and now the other holds him like fledgling, hands slowly tracing over his cheeks.Shadow Milk feels ill.“I did,” Pure Vanilla affirms, voice steady as his hands come to rest on Shadow Milk’s shoulders. “But Truthless Recluse is only one part of me. Your actions brought him to my surface, but you never created him. My doubts, my regrets and resentments – even my own, fleeting wish for oblivion. Everything I had buried for the sake of others, they consumed me. They were all he was, all he could be. He hated you. You could never have been happy with him.”“I was.” The words are out before Shadow Milk can stop them. “I was happy with him. You were perfect.”Pure Vanilla’s lips twitch into a small smile; the hands on Shadow Milk’s shoulders give a gentle squeeze. “I wasn’t. If you must spend eternity with another, let it be one who holds you in affection. Perhaps I will not convince you of that tonight, and perhaps you will never accept me in his place - but I promise you that Truthless Recluse will never return to your side, nor accept you at his.”Shadow Milk tries to scowl; he’s not sure of his own expression, something strange twisting in his chest. “You don’t know that.”“I do.” Pure Vanilla’s moving to sit up properly now; a gentle push on Shadow Milk’s shoulders, maneuvering the other to the side as Pure Vanilla scoots to the edge of the bed. “Unfortunately for you, my friend, your actions have given me perspective. Without you, I may never have confronted the feelings I had buried and seen the true worth of that which outweighs my doubts. I will not deny my feelings anymore – which is precisely why I will also never step foot off that ledge.”“So what?” Shadow Milk’s voice rings hollow, his eyes narrowing to slits. “Is that what I am to you? Perspective? A little warning bell, ringing in your ear?”“No,” Pure Vanilla counters easily. "You are Shadow Milk Cookie. You do not need to be anything else.”Unsatisfactory.“Why do you want me around?” The question is snapped through gritted teeth; Shadow Milk floats off the bed, putting ample space between them as he rises. “Why do you keep acting like we’re friends? I’m not nice to you.”“You’re not,” Pure Vanilla affirms. “It’s a bit troublesome at times.”Shadow Milk throws his arms up in frustration. “See! This! This is what I’m talking about! What is wrong with you? Why on Earthbread are you so insistent about wanting to stay by my side?”Pure Vanilla perks a brow. “Are you not the handsomest, cleverest, and most sophisticated Cookie in all the land?”A scowl – a real one this time. “That’s not an answer.”“No, and I’m not going to give you one.” Pure Vanilla gets to his feet, openly ignoring the affronted gawk Shadow Milk’s sending his way. “I don’t think it’ll do either of us any good right now. But, seeing as you are extremely clever, I think it’s something you’ll figure out on your own in time.”Shadow Milk Cookie huffs. “Giving me a lot of answers to go find on my own, hm?”“Call it enrichment.” Pure Vanilla Cookie has crossed the room, is now actively rummaging around in the pockets of his discarded robes. “Now, before I forget - do you want your gift? I did promise you one.”Ah. In all the talking and feelings, Shadow Milk had nearly forgotten the most important thing of all – material goods offered to his glory.Shadow Milk twirls his staff thrice, irritation and confusion still muddling up his mood – but he is not above being bribed. “I doubt it’s any good.”“I have every confidence you’ll like it.”A scoff; Shadow Milk perks a brow in disbelief. “I have very refined taste, you know. I’m not easy to please.”“Don’t I know it.” Pure Vanilla finally pulls his hand from the pockets to produce a gift box, holding it out in his palm. “Here.”Shadow Milk looks it over, unimpressed. “It’s a little small.”“So are you. I find that doesn’t stop you from making an impression.”Shadow Milk rolls his eyes; he floats down, snatching the box from Pure Vanilla’s outstretched hand. As he brings it up to his face to inspect it, he finds it’s tied neatly with a bright yellow bow and wrapped in waffle-cone patterned paper.Of course it’s waffle-cone. Everything around here is waffle-cone.Pure Vanilla’s watching him expectantly, so Shadow Milk heaves a sigh, tugging on the ribbon until the box unfolds in his hands. The contents drop into his open palm; Shadow Milk leans in close, squinting at it. It’s-Him.A small, wooden replica of him – or more precisely, the flat of his face grinning ear-to-ear. The likeness is striking; they’ve even gotten the whites of his lashes right. Shadow Milk turns it over in his hand; there’s a scribbled artist’s signature on the back along with a winky face.“Your banners have made quite the splash in the art community.” Pure Vanilla’s already crossed back over, lowering himself to sit on the bed. “Jacaranda Cookie was especially taken in. She’s got keychains of you, too; apparently, they’re selling quite well.”Shadow Milk lowers his gaze down to the other, eyes narrowing. “You tricked me.”Pure Vanilla tilts his head, smile teasing. “Did I?”“Yes. You knew perfectly well I was going to insult whatever you gave me.”A hum. “I did.”“You got me the one thing-” Shadow Milk holds the trinket aloft. “The one thing I couldn’t make fun of. How could you? Have you no heart? How am I meant to mock my own, perfect face?”“That’s true,” Pure Vanilla remarks, eyes crinkling with mirth. “After all, I’ve been told it’s a very handsome face.”Shadow Milk resists the urge to fling the tchotchke right into Pure Vanilla’s forehead.Barely.“Anyways.” Pure Vanilla’s pulling up the covers, tucking himself in as he settles down against the pillows. “I’m glad you like it, but I really would like to get some sleep. I’ll be heading back up to the castle tomorrow; you are welcome to join me, if you wish.” He reaches for the bedside lamp, pausing with his hand around the chain. “Are you staying?”Shadow Milk scoffs, folding his arms across his chest. “Hah! Told you already, Dollface – I’m not committing to anything. Go find that answer yourself.”“I meant,” Pure Vanilla replies mildly, “in the room.”Oh.“Hard pass.” Shadow Milk folds his arms behind his head with a casual stretch. “The darkness on the roof is much comfier, and has a whole lot less of you in it. Besides, from what I hear, you’re quite the snorer.”Pure Vanilla’s eyes, already half-drooping, suddenly snap open. “I don’t snore.”Shadow Milk grins. “Nilly, we already had our little bedtime romp for the night. You don’t have to keep wooing me over with pretty little lies.”There’s a squint, a flicker of dissatisfaction before Pure Vanilla grumbles: “Stay away from Black Raisin Cookie.” He tugs on the lamp’s chain; the room is swallowed in darkness as Shadow Milk cackles to himself.He’ll have to make a note to see her again.Pure Vanilla’s fully settled in now; Shadow Milk’s bright eyes can pick out the other’s face from across the room, how his eyes flutter shut, how he nudges his face deeper into the pillows. It’s almost comical how small Pure Vanilla makes himself look when he’s all tucked in - like a baby bird, curled in its nest.Shadow Milk wants to pinch him again.The urge is resisted – once again, barely. Instead the shadows call to him, pulling his form along as Shadow Milk melds back into pleasant darkness. He slides along the rafters, slipping through cracks in the wooden beams until he can reemerge on the rooftop, form solidifying with his hands behind his back.The night air is bracing, a cold breeze ruffling his hair as Shadow Milk tilts his gaze skywards. The moon still hangs high above - still cloaked in its blanket of stars, still a beacon of light that gleams brightly in defiance of his perfect darkness. She winks at him, teasing; Shadow Milk ignores it, averting his gaze with a scoff. Yet even as Shadow Milk sighs, leaning back and letting his eyes slip shut, a singular, reluctant thought lingers in his mind.She wouldn’t look half-bad in blue.'
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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