Bittersweet, isn't it?

--PROPAGANDA--

Timemilk: - Chaos incarnate. - The MESSIEST situationship Earthbread has ever seen. - "Let's blow shit up"-aah duo - All of their friends live in constant fear of being pranked

the following questions can be used both in character and out of character, depending on what you want to answer. these questions are meant to make people familiar with the various shades of love, attraction and identity, feel free to add your own. happy pride 🌈

what is your sexuality?

what do you identify as?

how long have you been aware of your sexuality/identity?

do you have any preferences?

share a positive memory about coming out!

how do you feel about pride month?

do you participate in pride related events? any other events?

how do you feel about lgbtqa roles in media?

do you feel pride in who you are?

who has been your supportive idols in your self discovery?

tell us about your first crush?

what sort of advice to have you lgbtqa teens? 

have you come out to friends and family?

how do you feel about the term “coming out” ?

do you believe there is a “closet” to come out of?

any tips on coming out?

what’s your biggest pet peeve when it comes to lgbtqa characterization in media?

what’s your favorite parts of lgbtqa characterization in media?

what did your teachers say about the lgbtqa community in school?

do you practice safe sex with the same sex?

what’s an absolute turn off for you in people?

what’s an absolute turn on for you in people?

how do you feel about lgbtqa clubs/apps/websites?

how do you feel about the term “queer” ?

how does you country view the lgbtqa community?

favorite lgbtqa actor/actress?

any tips for heterosexual people on how to handle lgbtqa events/news?

what’s the most annoying question you have ever gotten?

how do you feel about receiving questions about your sexuality/idenity?

"Your locks are so soft, dear."

- @drowned-in-caffeine

As ethereally graceful as he was, gardening was still work and sometimes he could get hairs out of place.

“Oh, ah, thank you,” Peach Blossom smiled, cheeks turning a bit pinker than usual before he paused, “I should probably redo my bun.”

"What brings you here?" No seriously, what brought this child here, was this Peach Blossom or a secret son?

༶•┈┈⛧┈♛ @drowned-in-caffeine ♛┈⛧┈┈•༶

[OOC] This is silly sidkakd

The young man turned to the speaker with a little jump. Peach Bud certainly was an appropriate nickname indeed, for there were no blossoms in his eyecing, only the buds and the eyecing that was visible had only the barest hint of pink.

His hair was a much paler pink, tied back in a simple ponytail and lacking the distinctive peach bun. But his outfit was identical to the Peach Blossom Cookie Affogato knew.

To be shown a living glimpse of it has the dark cookie's lips purse before he smiled gently, "Well now, we can't have that, hm? Do you happen to know where you were supposed to be, dear?"

"What a pleasant coincidence, I'm heading up there to visit an acquaintance of mine." Which was the older version of this cookie or was this a spell gone wrong? This place felt like time had stilled, who knows, perhaps it was a hot bed for time based shenanigans.

“The baos are very special,” Peach Blossom agreed with a little smile. If he’d had the baos before he was probably trustworthy.

"Please, the pleasure's all mine. You can call me Affogato, dearie." He introduced himself for a second time as he began leading the way.

"What brings you here?" No seriously, what brought this child here, was this Peach Blossom or a secret son?

༶•┈┈⛧┈♛ @drowned-in-caffeine ♛┈⛧┈┈•༶

[OOC] This is silly sidkakd

The young man turned to the speaker with a little jump. Peach Bud certainly was an appropriate nickname indeed, for there were no blossoms in his eyecing, only the buds and the eyecing that was visible had only the barest hint of pink.

His hair was a much paler pink, tied back in a simple ponytail and lacking the distinctive peach bun. But his outfit was identical to the Peach Blossom Cookie Affogato knew.

To be shown a living glimpse of it has the dark cookie's lips purse before he smiled gently, "Well now, we can't have that, hm? Do you happen to know where you were supposed to be, dear?"

"What a pleasant coincidence, I'm heading up there to visit an acquaintance of mine." Which was the older version of this cookie or was this a spell gone wrong? This place felt like time had stilled, who knows, perhaps it was a hot bed for time based shenanigans.

His dark eyes widened slightly in surprise at the sudden hostility, feeling more impressed by the quick one-eighty turn than actually frightened. His sentient staff immediately morphed into its demon horns and gaping jaw, humming with power and making a low, guttural warning sound, while a couple of his winged gems popped out to hover protectively in front of him.

"Well, well~ That's quite a passionate greeting! It seems you're very well acquainted with me, but I can't say I feel the same about you sadly. Perhaps there's a misunderstanding here, hm?"

"Where's your shovel? Actually, no, what happened to you– Your trash talk is less murderous than I remember—" His eyes widened as he gained an epiphany, glaring at this 'Black Sapphire' for a different matter entirely.

The mists at the base of the stairs were very thick today, Peach Blossom Cookie observed, putting on a pot to boil. That usually meant a guest was on their way, through some means or another.

But this was once his salvation. And quite frankly, Beast Yeast was truly no different when he lived his days out alone, creatures wished to hunt him there as well.

He's not quite sure how he ended up here however, the white fog had turned him around, leading him through circles, his saving grace being the mask he'd torn from his robes in a fit of unease.

(The mists lingered too long no matter how much he fanned it away.)

That did nothing for his exhaustion, as used to travelling he had been as a youngster, Affogato had gotten rusty, it was sheer spite that kept him going in climbing up these stairs, breathing heavily.

The smell of sweets growing stronger made the dark cookie pause before his steps hastened, following the floral scent to it's destination.

Silver eyes flitted toward the welcoming face and the peach bao tree, his mind whirling for any tricks.

With a soft huff, clearing his throat, the rogue pulled down his mask to work his charm, matching the pink cookie's smile with his own.

"Awfully generous of you to give such fruits over without even knowing my name." He tutted, his grip on his staff still tense even as his body grew lax.

A gift? When has anyone given him a gift?

Such things were never meant for him, no, but he couldn't refuse.

"Thank you." His lips blurted out, hesitant hands taking the peach, feeling the weight of it in his palm, filled with the temptation to bite and savor–

But—

"But there must be something I can do to repay you for such a treat. This looks..." Affogato idly squeezed the pink fruit and found the 'late' peach to still be solid, more than good, he was starting to wonder how it would've tasted if he came at the right time.

"I suppose a breather would be good." He bit into the peach first, just in case it was poisoned, the floral sweet scent could cover even the most telling smells of anything dangerous and if he were to pass, he'd at least hope to be a nuisance to drag into the other's home.

And all he's met with is heaven. No, not quite, something ethereal in it's taste, unattainable.

It has the dark cookie's slit eyes dilating as for a few seconds, Affogato forgot himself, taking a second bite, uncaring for the juices flying, the hunger within him roaring tenfold.

He remembered only when he went to wipe his chin, cheeks full of the divine fruit, zoning back into the waiting cookie.

A beat.

"The fruits of your labor are divine in essence." The praise dripped from his tongue, alongside a trickle of juice, he didn't even have to lie, it was genuine.

Impossible, surely he wished for something. It was always the kind ones who held onto favors.

"I don't suppose that tea is made of peach as well, is it?" He raised a brow, though his words lacked the bite it used to, replaced with something heavy.

This place made him feel heavy. Weak.

(Mortal.)

"Not that I'd mind, if it's anything like this..." Affogato trailed off, realizing what a waste of food he's made, discreetly hiding his kitten licks on his hand with his other sleeve, to not waste a single drop.

"Perish the thought, I'd rather have something sweet. Why, I'd even taste something sour than taste one bitter thing again." Those days having to bear such rations, his tongue was simply not built for such flavors.

Sometimes, in his hunger, Affogato even considered his own stash of poison, anything to drown out the bitter aftertaste.

The thought weighed heavy in his mind, of the subtle looks of everyone else would give him when he ate and for all his facial control, would be unable to help that second of dissonance that the dark cacao residents would hone in on with judgement.

Affogato shook his head, following Peach Blossom inside, looking around the other's abode with silent amusement.

"Ironic, since I have never seen him wear one." The former dark cacao resident continued to babble nonsense, sharing without giving anything away, except well, perhaps embarrassing tidbits of people that wasn't him.

Affogato sat down on one with silent awe at how plush and soft the cushions were. For a moment, he considered he could have possibly walked into the afterlife without knowing.

But no, such a silly thought, if he were dead, he would know. It's more plausible that there really was something new to see around these parts.

"He says it's because he likes his tea cold." His lips almost turn into a sneer were it not for his hand hiding it, eyes gleaming over to look at Peach Blossom.

He placed a cup, white and decorated with paintings of peach blossoms upon it in front of Affogato Cookie and took his seat with his own matching cup. The peach tea inside was fragrant and steaming.

Though, so far, he didn't see any reason to cause harm, there were more benefits in staying on this ethereal cookie's good side.

"You have such a lovely abode, Peach Blossom Cookie. I can't help but notice you seem to be the only one around." His praise was accompanied by probing questions, doesn't it get lonely? Was he alone?

Was he–? No, no one was like him.

Last he checked the Master of that so called Ivory Pagoda was... one that you shouldn't encounter at all, if the information he's gathered is to be believed. As for the Immortals, that was definitely plausible, there was always something that made them feel rather out of touch in the world.

"I see. Do you not travel often? Off this mountain, I mean." He asked, then again, with how peaceful this place felt, he could see the appeal of never leaving.

But to end up alone in such a place... That didn't seem like a fate this cookie deserved, if this whole good samaritan look wasn't just a facade.

"The Master still lingers?" He whispered in light shock, especially considering he passed through the Pagoda without encountering said cookie.

"Lady Fortuna must be on my side for I haven't encountered them at all in my travel up here." The rogue couldn't help but boast, just a little, if nothing else, at the very least, things still went his way in some cases.

But as the situation of Peach Blossom is made clear to him, Affogato felt... not empathy, not that but a certain common "interest" so to speak.

He couldn't help but lean forward in interest, his smile looking absolutely pleased with himself, "Oh how could I not be such a pleasant guest when I have an equally gracious host taking care of me, hm? It wouldn't be fair if I couldn't even do that."

And he doesn't want to be indebted. Far too dangerous with kind cookies, it takes more maneuvering to be able to decline.

"A game to pass the time would be nice. I must warn you though, Peach Blossom, I tend to play to win. I'm sure a simple capture game will be... an experience for the both of us."

Affogato's smile turned into a smirk, a flash of his teeth at the thought of capturing more than simple Go stones.

No, his eyecings were set on a different prize.

"For all his boasting in spreading information swiftly, that old bat is certainly taking his time in answering my queries." He's lying through his teeth, he came here without informing that aelf proclaimed radio host in hopes of an ambush.

But that was neither here nor there, what's a little surprise amongst friends?

"As you've said, Beast Yeast is filled with many dangers. Who knows if some Jelly Tardigrade had accosted that poor dear." Affogato feigned his worry, nevermind the fact that those giant creatures were easy to outrun with how slow they were.

He cleared his throat and placed the ceramic down, his hand coming up to tug on his side braid, "Either way, it's been a while since I've seen him. A visit would do him good. All the cookies here are scattered barring the Wild Spice tribes if my information is still accurate."

Speaking of visits however, the dark cookie tapped his chin before resting it onto his palm, pointing at Peach Blossom.

"Perhaps, even enough to trade for another peach bao." He smiled innocently, gently nudging for his cup to be refilled as he began to finish the fruit he was given, savoring his final bite.

"I would say that you should at least charge cookies for them, perhaps help you around with chores. Or trade for a story afterwards. But I suppose the kindness of such an act is the whole point with you." He waved his hand as he nodded his thanks on the now filled tea cup, lightly picking it up to have another sip.

"I suppose if there's one thing that would make me come this way again it would be you." He acquiesced, closing his eyes with a put upon sigh, relishing in the fragrant atmosphere. Then, he realized what escaped his lips, eyes cracking open, wide eyed.

"Your peach baos, I mean. Though, you have been a wonderful host. And this place in general, it's all so very you." What was he saying? Why did he say that? Was he that desperate for connection he's already attached to the one cookie who was kind to him?

No. No, the food and tea must be poisoned, if not one to kill but one to keep you lax.

He can not relax.

He swirled his cup and downed the tea. He refused to succumb to such concoctions that didn't even give him the dignity to crumble.

"I'll try to find a chess or shogi board. If not, I hope you won't mind a crude imitation of it made by my hands. If you're interested in Go, these games may be for you." He's pretty sure he could raid that Spire, with how much chess like creatures that skittered around that place, there was bound to be a chess board somewhere around that area. And if not, he has a knife and knows which tree wood was soft enough to carve.

"Though, if you prefer more relaxing games to the mind, a card game like Top Dough can be to your liking. I'll make the arrangements to give you a good time." If there's one thing he knew he was good at, it would be making arrangements. Affogato planned to keep this cookie in his pocket for all the benefits. A remote safe area, a kind soul giving delicious food, company that didn't try to reach for a weapon at the sight of him?

He put a hand to his chin thoughtfully, “I’ve never heard of that game, Top Dough… I’m eager to learn how to play.”

Uno. Tables flew that day. It was definitely memorable.

Not anymore. Not... not yet, perhaps.

"It was truly a pleasure to take a moment of rest with you, Peach Blossom." He gave his praise where it was due, he didn't need to sugarcoat his tongue for it to not leave a bitter taste in his mouth, for once, Affogato felt this praise to be... deserved.

"I'll meet you in a few days time, I'll have to cross Skim Milk River to visit my acquaintance but the trek back here will be quick." There were many Chaos Lancers and Commanders that roamed the area of the Spire, one Chaos Horse gone from the herd wouldn't be missed.

In fact, those equines had a penchant for running loose, Affogato simply just needed to hitch a ride and set it's course back here.

"Ah, I simply felt it would be rude of me to make you wait." He started before realizing he was starting to sound a little too eager to come back here, flushing lightly.

"But if you insist, I'll be as careful as I can be when traversing Beast Yeast." With that said, Affogato fixed his robes to gather his thoughts, there truly was no rush at all, his days as an advisor for a failing kingdom were over, there was no deadlines to catch, nor any rations to keep track of.