Chapter Text
"Wow, Healer Cookie," a little patient whispered in awe, "It's like you were really there!"
Black Raisin Cookie coughed, then sat up, "If Bitter Knight Cookie had a broken ankle, how did he run away?"
Healer Cookie nodded his head, "Yes, that's exactly the problem. He was still very hurt, so going out on his own at night only spelled trouble."
Another cookie chimed in, "So did he just not feel it, or what?"
"He was still full of adrenaline, or urgency, excitement. It makes a cookie's pain feel subdued so that way they can keep pushing forward to safety. Soon, it would wear off, and Bitter Knight Cookie will be left alone somewhere in too great of pain to move," Healer Cookie frowned. For some reason, this story was making his own heart beat two times too fast.
The patients in the tent all gasped and murmured to each other in hushed tones. They wondered if Bitter Knight Cookie would be alright. Which of his friends would come to find him?
"Will Plain Healer Cookie go after him?"
"I think Shield Berry Cookie might."
"What about Cheesy Archer Cookie?"
"Hmm... Maybe Flower Mage Cookie will? She seems smart!"
"Were the injuries worse than you're telling us? We're all old enough, you can tell us!"
Healer Cookie laughed off the sudden unease he began to feel. He knew how the story ended, he did not have to feel such worry for these made-up cookies. "Now, now, remember that this is just a story. Though it is getting quite dark outside, isn't it? Perhaps we should finish this tomorrow."
A chorus of whines and cries started up all around him, even the older cookies were bargaining for more of the story. He giggled as he shushed the cookies, "Alright, alright, but let's get everyone something to eat first."
As he stood to go prepare some raisin buns and raisin stew, Black Raisin Cookie made to follow him. "Ah, ah, ah," he scolded, "You have to stay in bed and rest, remember?"
"Oh! Uh, yeah, that's right... but I'm feeling a lot better *Kff kff* now," she pulled on his robes.
"Hey, Black Raisin Cookie," another villager piped up, "You're acting kind of like Bitter Knight Cookie right now!"
She gasped and shouted, "But he's so mean! I'm not-!"
Healer Cookie put a gentle hand on her own, and shushed her, "Quiet, please. Everyone needs quiet to rest."
He heard her clasp her hand over her mouth, "I'm so sorry, Healer Cookie. I guess I am acting like Bitter Knight Cookie, huh?"
He considered his next words for a moment, "Bitter Knight Cookie is rather absorbed in his duty, isn't he?"
"Yeah, I suppose so... He wants to help really bad, but he keeps ignoring what everyone needs... Wait," Black Raisin Cookie shuffled her feet on the ground, "am I being that annoying?"
"Oh, my sweet cookie, you aren't being annoying. You're just doing the wrong job right now. Listen to me and listen to your dough, especially. Your job is to rest, rid yourself of that fever and cough, so that you can get back to being helpful around the village."
"I see. But how am I supposed to learn how to help you make your super stew if I have to rest?"
He had her lay back down, then brought his pot and stones near, but not next to, her bedroll. "You can watch and I'll tell you each step as I make it. How does that sound?"
She couldn't help but squeal, "Yes! Thank you, Healer Cookie!"
As he began preparing the stew, talking Black Raisin Cookie through each step, Healer Cookie thought about the characters in his story. Bitter Knight Cookie felt so real in some aspects. He could almost smell the earthy notes of cacao in the air instead of the raisin broth in the pot. Despite how long it must have been since he had seen another face, he could almost imagine his jaded purple eyes. Even the other characters, who were not so prominent in the story, were clear characters in his mind. Yet it was a just story, one he had heard from a now mysterious cookie a long, long time ago.
Then why did he know their voices so well?
_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_
Pure Vanilla Cookie paced back and forth in the tent, wondering what he should do. Dark Cacao Cookie would not listen to him, and he was clearly very upset. Some time to cool off would be good for him, were it not for the fact that he was still grievously injured. Perhaps, though, it truly was not that bad, and he would be fine for a little while... On the other hand, they hadn't defeated the entire horde...
|If you want, I could go get him?
Golden Cheese Cookie offered, arms still patched and sore. After all her galavanting had finished, she hadn't even the energy to carry her spears back to the camp. Golden dust was smeared across her face and arms. Her eyes reflected not even the pale, dim moonlight.
Pure Vanilla Cookie shook his head and sighed.
|No, his ankle was severely injured. He needs my help whether he realizes it or not... I also need to talk to him. I may be trying to be a good healer, but that should not be at the cost of being a good friend.
White Lily Cookie mumbled:
|He was the one picking fights, Pure Vanilla Cookie. You haven't done anything wrong.
|That may be so, but I believe that I must always keep an open mind and heart for all my friends and patients. I did not do that for him this night.
The other three cookies stood by in silence as he prepared to leave. Pure Vanilla Cookie gathered up his gauze and spell components back into his bag. Then, he looked out at the large, dark forest. With the number of monsters still at large, it would be too dangerous to use light spells to guide his path. Still, he had no more time to spare.
|There are still bound to be cake monsters afoot. I cannot let him, or the rest of you, be caught by yourselves. I will return with Dark Cacao Cookie.
With that, the healer stepped into the darkness.
_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_
Dark Cacao Cookie swung his sword at the tree again and again. Each attack thunked sadly into the wide trunk, unable to cut through. It was pathetic how he, a great and noble warrior from the vast Icing Ridge, now could hardly lift his blade. Pure Vanilla Cookie thought he was so weak that he should prioritize the knight's life over his own. That he had allowed himself to slip so close to death. The healer truly felt he had the right to be disappointed in the outcome of that battle? Dark Cacao Cookie could have laughed if the thought of Pure Vanilla Cookie looking down on him didn't make him so, so angry.
His jam boiled! He let out a fierce shout as he struck at the tree once again. Drawing his heavy chocoblade back, Dark Cacao Cookie threw all of his weight into the swing. On the down strike, however, pain shot through his dough like electricity. The blade clattered to the ground uselessly, and so too did Dark Cacao Cookie with a tragic yelp.
|How... How could I have fallen this far?
He laid there on the ground, letting the pains in leg and shoulder overwhelm him. Dark Cacao Cookie traced over his clothes where he knew there to be some old scars. Honorable markings earned in battle. These pains he had now were anything but. Each throb reminded him of every opportunity squandered, and he despised his party for it. At least, he tried his best to. Dark Cacao Cookie could not deny the evidence before him though, he had made some truly horrendous decisions this night. Life never had been fair, not to cookies like him, yet they still persevered and made something decent of it. He had wanted to make his life grand amongst all the pitfalls of the world. Was that fair to the others around him? Was it fair to himself?
Crack!
His reflection of life's tragedies would have to wait, for the sound could only mean one thing: the monsters have returned. The noise was far too loud to be some small woodland creature moving about. Just heavy enough to be a cake hound, but likely larger, and cake hounds never hunt alone. For him to still be considered prey with all his shouting and training, truly Dark Cacao Cookie had lost more than his edge to that battle.
He made to sit up and... didn't move. He strained and struggled but his dough would not respond. With Dark Cacao Cookie's rage fizzled out, it was as if a pool of his sorrows held him down. Not even his good arm could reach out for his blade, he was completely defenseless. He shut his eyes tight to avoid having to see which foul beast had come for him.
|Ah! Dark Cacao Cookie! I've finally found you!
|What... Pure... Vanilla... Cookie?
His voice came out as a long drawl. A bright light shone on him from somewhere to his right. He managed to turn his head to look at Pure Vanilla Cookie. The healer smiled at him, though his eyes held much sadder things than the cookie on the ground before him.
|I made it just in time, I suppose. Now, you can't argue with me.
A wry laugh fell from Pure Vanilla Cookie's lips. Dark Cacao Cookie looked away from him. He had caused the healer too much strife already.
|Do what... must be done...
|Of course.
Pure Vanilla Cookie set to work, undressing Dark Cacao Cookie enough so that he could see his wounds again. To the bitter one, the chilled night air was nothing, but the warmth of Pure Vanilla Cookie's hands sent shivers through his dough. The healer mused over the shoulder for a little while before going straight back to looking over the other's leg. He mumbled to himself, short and quick spells, as he worked about patching up Dark Cacao Cookie's leg. Occasionally, too often for the knight's liking, Pure Vanilla Cookie had to steady his injured shoulder. His staff was the only light source in the area, so he needed to hold it upright while he worked with his healthy arm.
Dark Cacao Cookie stared at the staff as it carefully inspected his leg. Glowing beads circled and pulsed around it, illuminating the friends in a warm light. Dark circles weighed down Pure Vanilla Cookie's eyes, and his hair was still a mess. Dark Cacao Cookie reached up without thinking, grabbing the staff.
|Dark Cacao Cookie-
|May I... hold this... for you?
Pure Vanilla Cookie let go of his staff, allowing Dark Cacao Cookie to support its weight for him. He kept his hand at its base to keep in contact with it, but this made it significantly easier to work. All of his energy at the moment could go towards mending the cracks in Dark Cacao Cookie's leg, bit by bit.
|I'm sorry for how I acted earlier, and for not hearing you out.
The knight stared up in shock at the healer above him.
|Whatever for... My pride... I was the... didn't... listen.
|Just because you are sorry, doesn't mean I can't also be, my friend. A relationship has two parts, a road goes both ways. If I don't acknowledge my wrongs here as well, then what are you learning from this?
|The healer is not always right. Sometimes, he too lets emotions cloud his vision. It's dangerous either way when we're on the battlefield.
He didn't want to let Pure Vanilla Cookie do all the talking, but he could hardly muster the energy to keep his eyes open now. All he could do was grunt a response, hoping that the healer understood.
|Ah yes, maybe I should wait until you're feeling a bit better. We can even talk about this in the morning. Does that sound good?
|...Yes.
Pure Vanilla cast a quiet spell on the gauze before wrapping it around the nearly sealed cracks in Dark Cacao Cookie's dough. It would have to do until morning, for the adrenaline was waning in the healer as well.
He smelled them before he heard them. Pure Vanilla Cookie suddenly grabbed his seeing staff again and jumped to his feet. Choco cake hounds! Their sickeningly sweet scent invaded the area. They had been following the light coming off of the seeing staff, biding their time, waiting for guards to drop. Dark Cacao Cookie, too, slowly rose to his feet, having regained enough sense to stand once again.
|Do you see them... Pure-
A cake hound howled and lunged into the clearing, straight for Pure Vanilla Cookie. Dark Cacao Cookie, unable to lift his sword, prepared to jump in between his friend and the incoming beast. Instead, the cookie raised his staff and slammed it into the ground, releasing a bright flash of light. The cake hound yipped and the pack scattered further into the forest.
Dark Cacao Cookie blinked in awe. Not quite the defenseless cookie he had made him out to be.
|That was... impressive, Pure Vanilla Cookie.
The healer turned around and pointed at his friend's shoulder.
|Can you describe the pain in your shoulder to me?
|Ah...
He hesitated still, questions lingering on his tongue. Would Pure Vanilla Cookie sense this weakness that still lived within his heart? The knight took a deep breath, exhaling his doubts, leaving them to the frigid night's breeze. His healer awaited a response, and this time, Dark Cacao Cookie resolved to give him the proper one.
|I cannot move it any longer it seems. It was hurting like a raging fire, but now it is numb and dull. I can also feel pinpricks at my neck.
Pure Vanilla Cookie nodded and gestured for Dark Cacao Cookie to follow him. They began to make their way through the forest, now in complete darkness. With pain still hounding his leg, the knight followed closely behind his friend. The cookies stepped slowly and carefully through the forest, Pure Vanilla Cookie making great efforts to stay away from the roots of the trees when possible. Dark Cacao Cookie reached out and took Pure Vanilla Cookie's hand. The healer squeezed his hand, and warmth blossomed between them.
|All that swinging you did with your sword, it made your injury worse. Not to worry you, as it can definitely be healed. It will be uncomfortable until morning, though, when I've recovered enough myself.
|I see... I assumed my dough was weak from lack of training, when in reality I have now done too much.
|Yes, your body wanted you to rest. To a warrior like you, a twisted shoulder and cracked ankle may not seem like much, but it can be devastating when not treated properly. It will stop you from being able to do your job.
|My... job?
|Your role in the party, Dark Cacao Cookie. We all have one, and they're each very important.
That was right, and it had been what Dark Cacao Cookie was saying the whole time. Yet, he still messed up one crucial detail. He didn't allow the others to fill their roles, and do what they did best.
|I understand, now. You are the healer, so I trust you to know how best to protect and recover us. As I am the warrior, I must not forget my allies beside me as I carve us a path forward!
|Exactly, Dark Cacao Cookie.
He stopped just as they made it out of the forest, and turned to face the taller cookie. Emphasizing his next words, Pure Vanilla Cookie squeezed Dark Cacao Cookie's hand.
|Please do not forget that you have four cookies at your side, my friend. We are here to help each other, no matter what it is.
|I underestimated you, Pure Vanilla Cookie. A nearly fatal mistake I made this day. Thank you for reaching out to grab my hand... I will not ever forget this.
Pure Vanilla Cookie hugged Dark Cacao Cookie, mumbling something the other could not quite hear, but did understand. More would be said in the morning, but for now, the two simply held each other, observed only by the sleeping moon.
_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_
"Now then, have we learned anything tonight?"
The patients in the healer's tent didn't make a sound, but he could feel the collective hum of their gathering thoughts. Black Raisin Cookie grabbed onto Healer Cookie's arm, a silent ask for help. He pulled her up to sitting so she could speak.
"I learned," she leaned sleepily against Healer Cookie, "I learned that sometimes you have to let someone else help you."
He smiled and ruffled her hair, saying, "That's a very good lesson, Black Raisin Cookie!"
"H-hey! Cut that out! *Kff kff*"
"Did anyone else have a lesson they wanted to share?"
"Oh! Oh! Me! I have one!" a patient jumped up and down, until it made them light-headed and dizzy. Healer Cookie bade them to be careful, making them lay down before continuing. "I think that it's important to, um, listen to the experts?"
"Ah, that's a good lesson to be learned as well! Now, I have a question for all of you: Do you think you would listen to me if I shouted like Plain Healer Cookie did?"
The patients hummed with thought, trying to imagine such a scenario. Eventually, all of them mumbled and shook their heads, the sounds of their robes rustling about like the leaves of that moonlit forest.
"No," one villager spoke up, "because I think I would be scared, or- or sad... But you would never shout at us, Healer Cookie!"
"You are right, I would never. Just as you should listen to your healer, your healer should listen to your feelings and help calm your emotions in times of hurt."
Black Raisin Cookie tugged on his sleeve, "But Plain Healer Cookie was just worried about his friend, right?"
Healer Cookie nodded, "Of course he was, and his friend was not listening to his concerns. As friends, sometimes our care can lend to great bouts of frustration and sadness because we care so much.
"As healers, however, we know more than our patients often do about the process of healing. It can be frustrating to work with someone who doesn't understand, because they can be afraid or obstinate. By giving a patient room to talk and voice their concerns, healers can help all the better. Likewise, giving a friend space to explain themselves can make a resolution easier to see."
"We have to talk and listen to others," Black Raisin Cookie realized.
Healer Cookie applauded her, "Exactly, my dear cookies. Conflict can be resolved through conversations, so long as you both speak up for yourself and listen to understand others."
After a period of contemplative silence, Healer Cookie cleared his throat and stood back up. "Alright then, if no one has any other questions, it is time for bed," he said, with a chorus of whines following.
Black Raisin Cookie raised her voice, "Guys, we just learned how important it is to listen to our healers! Get in bed and get some rest!"
Everyone jumped and ran to their bedrolls, agreeing with her. Healer Cookie ruffled her hair yet again, and she swatted at his hand. That was one problem with being so familiar with your patients, he giggled to himself, sometimes you can't help but tease them.
He tucked each cookie back into their bedrolls, getting them drinks and nighttime medications. Everyone left in the tent was suffering from the fever sickness running through the village, so he would be casting plenty of soothing spells through the night. Healer Cookie settled into his own bedroll, taking off his eye wraps. There was a dull ache in his arms and a breath still held in his chest. He released the stress of the day, melting into his blanket.
Working around a patient's beliefs and fears, and trusting cookies of wisdom and knowledge. The exchange between those two things was important to progress, especially outside of the healer's tent. Compromise. Resolution. Bitter Knight Cookie used to see them as opposites, that compromise was brought on by weakness. Healer Cookie was relieved when he finally realized that his allies were more than just cookies who fought at his side.
He was so relieved that Dark Cacao Cookie had finally seen him, truly, as the friend he was.