[With a more respectable distance achieved, Silent Salt's grip eases up. Though he still regards Pavlova with no small amount of suspicion, he can at least be contented with this much.]
You choose now to be concerned? [He doubts the truth in those words, and shakes his head at the thought.] It matters not where I am. I will endure, as I always have.
How convenient. [He feels his resolve fragment. Metal clanks together as he clenches fingers into fists.] If only you could have mustered that concern centuries ago.
[It is good, though, that he does not lash out. Regardless of what Pavlova Cookie had done to him, he at least seems keen to share information. Though Silent Salt knows better than to trust the minions of the Beasts, he can still file whatever is shared away.]
Then I shall find out. I have managed more with less. As I always have.
I wasn't allowed outside the Sugarlands, and I certainly didn't see you visit mother's garden. How would you know how I felt?
[ certainly, he was up to no good, and back then he rarely questioned it. But Silent Salt didn't know that, and being treated like some bug under his heel is ruffling the boy's feathers. As though this was somehow his fault.
... sure he feels responsible for not stopping anything, but how would his mother have reacted? He barely got clearance to leave the garden at all after they were unbound as it was. Going against her was just asking to get turned into a statue.
Whatever! He fluffs his feathers, the wings reaching around his shoulders as he crossed his arms ]
You'll get yourself killed or infected by the forest like that. It's not safe in the woods.
And yet your whispers still managed to taint my home.
[But going around and around like this will get them nowhere. It's clear that Pavlova has information about this place. Centuries of gathering knowledge and observing meant little in this place, in this realm beyond his ken. It is an uncomfortable realization, just as having to work with those who had damned him would surely be.]
Tell me of the woods, then, if you are so concerned.
I seriously have no idea what you're talking about. Ugh.
[ But he leaves that issue there and huffs, looking out at the forest. ]
This place, It's called Aldric's Grove. There's an angry god that's taken over the forest here, and he toys with us for fun and revenge. The other gods and guardians around here have been helping protect us, but they can only do so much.
As for what the forest can do... I'm not really sure exactly how it infects people, but Miss Lily was infected by it and it used her to trap us all in a dream realm once. So if it gets ahold of you it can control you. And it gets worse the longer you have it, so going out too deep into the woods without knowing the safe paths is really bad.
[Doubt lingers, but he says nothing. As long as Pavlova Cookie seemed willing to comply, he would say nothing. Instead, he tucks the important information that's delivered away in the back of his mind. He would compare it to his own investigation later, and draw his conclusions after that.
At least, that was his intention. Past a certain point, though, the words seem to stop registering. It's a miracle in and of itself that he does not interrupt the smaller cookie.]
Lily - [Relief and dread both well up within him.] Do you refer to White Lily Cookie?
[Something about that gaze unnerves him. Strange, for how small Pavlova is compared to him. Unfortunately, though, there are far more pressing, threatening things to focus on.
Ignoring Pavlova's hand for the second time, he allows his own senses to span outward. Even if he no longer resonated with the virtues, they were still connected in other ways. And just as before, when he could manage to detect inklings of his brethren and their ilk, he senses the sweet magic of another.
That did not bode well. Especially not if he had been worming his way into White Lily Cookie's good graces.]
I will make my own determination. [Still, he does manage a nod toward the smaller cookie.] Provided you have been honest with me, you have my thanks.
[It does bode well, that Pavlova is so willing to open himself up to examination. Or would, if he were not familiar with the games and tricks that his brethren tended to play.]
You should likewise be wary of the cold, don't you think?
[Sweater or no, it's still frigid out here, and Silent Salt doubts that the Gardens were ever anything less than balmy.]
[There is a lot to wonder about even now. What sort of hatchlings did this place possess, he can't help but wonder. All things he can learn later, though.]
Then you should return home. [And though he cannot be certain of trusting the boy...] I will walk you there.
[There are threats greater than them both about. Besides, if White Lily Cookie was fond of him, then he should at least be amicable.]
[Though Silent Salt remains several steps behind Pavlova, it isn't out of distaste. Rather, it helps him keep watch. His head remains on a swivel as they move.]
I do not need it. [Not the invitation, nor the tea. Really, he might actually like to come in. But not until he understands more about the situation he finds himself in.
Or rather, how that situation runs parallel to Shadow Milk Cookie.]
[Unfortunately, old habits die hard. And Pavlova... reminds him of the pure-hearted youth of his past in many ways.]
Indeed it has.
[That is... about all he has to say about that particular matter. There is much to consider, none the least of which is Pavlova's own role. But that will come in time.]
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
timeasmymeasure
no subject
Date: 2025-11-16 04:08 am (UTC)You choose now to be concerned? [He doubts the truth in those words, and shakes his head at the thought.] It matters not where I am. I will endure, as I always have.
no subject
Date: 2025-11-16 04:30 am (UTC)[ Not that he expects to be believed. If anyone were going to be wary of Deceit from him from the start, it'd be the other beasts. ]
It does matter. Because we're not on Earthbread now and everything is different. You don't even know what you're enduring or who's here or anything.
no subject
Date: 2025-11-16 04:36 am (UTC)[It is good, though, that he does not lash out. Regardless of what Pavlova Cookie had done to him, he at least seems keen to share information. Though Silent Salt knows better than to trust the minions of the Beasts, he can still file whatever is shared away.]
Then I shall find out. I have managed more with less. As I always have.
no subject
Date: 2025-11-16 04:49 am (UTC)[ certainly, he was up to no good, and back then he rarely questioned it. But Silent Salt didn't know that, and being treated like some bug under his heel is ruffling the boy's feathers. As though this was somehow his fault.
... sure he feels responsible for not stopping anything, but how would his mother have reacted? He barely got clearance to leave the garden at all after they were unbound as it was. Going against her was just asking to get turned into a statue.
Whatever! He fluffs his feathers, the wings reaching around his shoulders as he crossed his arms ]
You'll get yourself killed or infected by the forest like that. It's not safe in the woods.
no subject
Date: 2025-11-16 04:56 am (UTC)[But going around and around like this will get them nowhere. It's clear that Pavlova has information about this place. Centuries of gathering knowledge and observing meant little in this place, in this realm beyond his ken. It is an uncomfortable realization, just as having to work with those who had damned him would surely be.]
Tell me of the woods, then, if you are so concerned.
no subject
Date: 2025-11-16 05:22 am (UTC)[ But he leaves that issue there and huffs, looking out at the forest. ]
This place, It's called Aldric's Grove. There's an angry god that's taken over the forest here, and he toys with us for fun and revenge. The other gods and guardians around here have been helping protect us, but they can only do so much.
As for what the forest can do... I'm not really sure exactly how it infects people, but Miss Lily was infected by it and it used her to trap us all in a dream realm once. So if it gets ahold of you it can control you. And it gets worse the longer you have it, so going out too deep into the woods without knowing the safe paths is really bad.
no subject
Date: 2025-11-16 05:29 am (UTC)At least, that was his intention. Past a certain point, though, the words seem to stop registering. It's a miracle in and of itself that he does not interrupt the smaller cookie.]
Lily - [Relief and dread both well up within him.] Do you refer to White Lily Cookie?
no subject
Date: 2025-11-16 05:38 am (UTC)Yeah. She's here. I've been staying with her and my dad for... six months? Give or take a week.
[ He tilts his head at the knight and extends his hand again ]
I don't know what happened, but things are different here. You don't have to like us, but there are worse, more powerful threats.
no subject
Date: 2025-11-16 06:05 am (UTC)Ignoring Pavlova's hand for the second time, he allows his own senses to span outward. Even if he no longer resonated with the virtues, they were still connected in other ways. And just as before, when he could manage to detect inklings of his brethren and their ilk, he senses the sweet magic of another.
That did not bode well. Especially not if he had been worming his way into White Lily Cookie's good graces.]
I will make my own determination. [Still, he does manage a nod toward the smaller cookie.] Provided you have been honest with me, you have my thanks.
no subject
Date: 2025-11-16 06:12 am (UTC)I kind of doubt you'll believe me when I say I really don't have a reason to lie, but you can ask anyone else, they'll just tell you the same thing.
[ He's not bothered by the idea of Silent Salt investigating because he simply has nothing to hide on that front. ]
And since my hand is apparently dirty or something. The Inn is that way. Try not to freeze standing out here too long.
no subject
Date: 2025-11-16 06:20 am (UTC)[It does bode well, that Pavlova is so willing to open himself up to examination. Or would, if he were not familiar with the games and tricks that his brethren tended to play.]
You should likewise be wary of the cold, don't you think?
[Sweater or no, it's still frigid out here, and Silent Salt doubts that the Gardens were ever anything less than balmy.]
no subject
Date: 2025-11-16 06:28 am (UTC)[ And attempting to fly a bit. ]
It's so cold I feel like my feathers are gonna freeze off!
[ And yet he stopped to talk to you instead of getting into the warmth of shelter. ]
no subject
Date: 2025-11-16 06:42 am (UTC)Then you should return home. [And though he cannot be certain of trusting the boy...] I will walk you there.
[There are threats greater than them both about. Besides, if White Lily Cookie was fond of him, then he should at least be amicable.]
no subject
Date: 2025-11-16 06:53 am (UTC)Oh, okay. It's just over this way.
[ It's the only cookie house in the Grove, but showing him the way would cut out the wandering. ]
You sure you don't wanna come in? Miss Lily and dad keep a lot of tea around.
[ He pauses. ]
Do you even like tea? Mom never actually said all that much about you.
no subject
Date: 2025-11-16 06:57 am (UTC)I do not need it. [Not the invitation, nor the tea. Really, he might actually like to come in. But not until he understands more about the situation he finds himself in.
Or rather, how that situation runs parallel to Shadow Milk Cookie.]
You will be safe for the evening, then?
no subject
Date: 2025-11-16 08:02 am (UTC)[ Considering how they started this conversation, he's a little confused as to why he cares, though. ]
... I know you don't trust me, but it is kinda nice to see you again. It's been a long time.
[ He forgets sometimes that the other beasts probably barely know he exists ]
no subject
Date: 2025-11-16 07:06 pm (UTC)Indeed it has.
[That is... about all he has to say about that particular matter. There is much to consider, none the least of which is Pavlova's own role. But that will come in time.]
Have a good evening, Pavlova Cookie.