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[jugglery]

WELL, HELLOOOO THERE! Say the words at the thing!
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[jugglery]

[right, the numbers. there is a nice, neutral 5 above Shadow Milk's head]

I figured they were power numbers. Or rankings.

[he shrugs]

So far, I haven't seen a number larger than a ten. So, maybe, you can't go higher than that.

[ancientlight]

I am not certain. If that was the case, then a power much larger for yourself would be visible.

( For Pure Vanilla, there's a 6 that Shadow Milk may very well see. )

I see a five when I look at you, and yet... your power is one that is nearly unmatched. Even that newfound power you hold seemed to hold a great strength.

[jugglery]

[Shadow Milk blinks and whirls around]

A five? No... That can't be! How come you're a six, then?! There's no way you're stronger than me! Even with your stupid healing powers!

[Shadow Milk, you did get caught by flowers when you first arrived. and then a wolf bit you]

[ancientlight]

A five?

( He stops in his steps. )

No, it does not have to do with power at all! I was a one to those who I had only just met.

And yet... with you, it is far different.

[jugglery]

[Shadow Milk's brain is working now, as he's trying to piece together these clues. he also saw mostly ones around him, but to people he knew, it is different.

he finally pauses, and makes a very sour expression]

Oh, Witches. You've gotta be kidding me.

[ancientlight]

( He's not surprised that he may have figured it out far more quickly than he did. Pure Vanilla is still coming up with theories of his own, but there's nothing solid enough to speak of. )

Shadow Milk Cookie?

( What exactly was it? He looks... rather unhappy. )

[jugglery]

[how can he test this theory? he doesn't have a clue. he'd need Tenna or Catra to help him, but he only has Pure Vanilla here]

It. Doesn't have to do with power or abilities. Or even rankings. I think it's... got to do with familiarity. How we feel about one another.

[ancientlight]

( Pure Vanilla pauses then before looking to Shadow Milk with a more relaxed expression. )

I see! This may be a little more complicated than we had anticipated, but... this is something the both of us were familiar with, isn't it?

( So, was there any need to be upset? )

[jugglery]

[why is he relaxed after hearing this??]

Complicated, perhaps! Though, I wonder what the purpose of having those numbers there is? Like, who cares, you know? Unless they boost our stats, or something...

[..........................oh]

[ancientlight]

... Our bonds as our strength? ( Their friends are their powers, huh... )

It's normal that those who gets along well can fight together side-by-side far better, but... What drew you to that conclusion?

[jugglery]

Because, fool! What else would those numbers be used for? Puzzle-solving? Obviously, I'm meant to see everyone else's, but not my own. And it's the same with you. Also, you mentioned that fighting in pairs is possible. I think that's the real clue.

[ancientlight]

I can see why you would come to that conclusion, and yet --

( He's rather upset. And knowing the other: )

Are you thinking that we must strengthen our bond?

( If 10 is the maximum, then... 5 and 6 half-way there, isn't it? He isn't fond of forcing any sort of friendship unnaturally. )

We still have time to see how our powers respond against the shadows now.

[jugglery]

It's not like we can force ourselves to get along...

[still, he wants to try something. for science. Shadow Milk slowly approaches Pure Vanilla, then reaches up and grips the other Cookie's cheeks in between his hands. stare]

[ancientlight]

( Before he can react, he feels hands on his face. Shadow Milk will find that he’s naturally warm to the touch, and Pure Vanilla looks on with a rather confused, curious look. His cheeks flush vaguely. He can’t really help it. It’s rather forward of the his other half!

What was he thinking? )

… S-Shadow Milk Cookie?

[jugglery]

[he's staring! canting his head one way, then the other, like he's really thinking. of course, Shadow Milk Cookie is not going to tell Pure Vanilla Cookie what he's thinking about. yet.

a way to get stronger, faster, huh? maybe...

his fingers curl a bit, not pressing roughly, but definitely there's some pressure in his hold as he pulls Pure Vanilla's face down and leans in. and then he licks him on the corner of his mouth. he feels it, too, a tingle in his Soul Jam. a resonating even though he is experimenting.

hnnn.]

[ancientlight]

( Tongue finds mouth, and Pure Vanilla makes a soft, surprised sound. His heart jumps in his chest, and he nearly does the very same. He feels it, too. A connection -- one that was so subtle, yet there all the same.

Is this what he thought would work? Is it truly what he wanted? That may likely be the case, given-- the way that it touches their very souls, albeit quietly.

Still, he reaches and cups his cheeks with both hands. )

Can you feel that?

Our souljams.... They're responding to one another.

[jugglery]

[intriguing! Shadow Milk hasn't really been this close to anyone in who knows how long. but he enjoys the way his Soul Jam feels right now, even if he is annoyed.

suddenly, Pure Vanilla is holding him, and he feels his cheeks burn. his response sounds annoyed, because he is, a little, but he's also kind of excited]

O-Of course I can feel it.

[ancientlight]

( It indeed feels pleasant to feel their Souljams responding to their closeness with one another. He’s always felt strangely drawn to the other. Could this be why…?

Still, he hesitates, looking to Shadow Milk with some concern.

There’s mutual excitement on his end, but he’d never push without making sure: )

Is this truly what you want?

[jugglery]

[what. don't look at him like that! he doesn't know what he wants. he wants to be stronger, but he might fail if he stays holed up alone. grrr, frustrating.

so he does what he always does best. he laughs and lies through his icing]

Oh, please. I was just testing something! You were here, so I'm using you as my guinea pig!

[ancientlight]

Hahah, I see!

( Sounds a bit like a lie. Pure Vanilla remembers how he responded during the Christmas Party. )

Perhaps we can think of it as a way to continue what was started during the Christmas Party.

[jugglery]

.......

[a slight hesitance, but eventually he squares his shoulders]

I... Suppose.

[ancientlight]

( Well, he's not actively pushing him away this time... They're making progress. )

If you would like to try to deepen our bond... I have an idea.

Can you close your eyes for a moment?

[jugglery]

[uh oh. for a moment, it looks as though Shadow Milk may back off again. but he doesn't want to seem like a coward. and, he wants to become stronger.

so he stands up straighter and closes his eyes, exhaling through his nose]

You're not so clever, you know. I can tell what you're trying to do.

[ancientlight]

Oh?

( Does he? He can't help but laugh quietly, though there's nothing mocking in the way he does. It's a joyful sort of sound. )

I do not mind if you wish to take the lead instead.

[jugglery]

No, no!

[Shadow Milk continues to keep his eyes closed]

You should finish what you started!