#askancientsandbeasts

"Oh good question! You see the Hollyberry Kingdom deals more with fruits than it does flowers. However I have always been more partial to roses. They don't only come in shades of red either! There are pink, blue, purple and I once saw one that was yellow! Though that might have just been some paint splattered on! Haha!"

"The frozen lands of my home does not allow for such softened life to thrive, except for one. The Star Jelly Flower is one that does best in the cold. Some say they were fallen stars that mistook the snow for the sky. I once had a garden bed bursting with them during simpler times."

"Well there is the Edam Cheese Lotus which you can set your drinks on when you go to bathe in the glorious waters, I would be careful however, every now and then you may catch a cheese frog napping!"

"A favorite? Ah well I do enjoy White Lilies but the scent may be a bit intense...Perhaps Vanilla Orchids? Although....The Faerie Kingdom had the most incredible Serene Fragrance Flowerbeds. Did you know that the flowers never wilt or lose their fragrance?"

"Such things do not matter. In the end they will all wither, though if you must...Siu Mai Flowers were once a favorite when Earthbread was still new. You may find remnants or single flowers sprouting in my temple, though it will all be flour soon enough."

"Only the strongest flowers thrive in my garden. Pure Saffron blooms rightfully, even in the ruins of my temple the colors are as vibrant as when they were first created. Not to mention some of those pathetic cookies believe the flower to be worth more than gold in some places."

"Ohh? Favorite flower? Don't have one! Though there are some pretties that I do enjoy! Thorny rosebushes though they have secrets, the weepy Milkcrown Flowers that make soft cookies bawl at just the sight of them and- hmm actually I do prefer one particular plant, is it a Sheep or Flower? Why don't you sit down and figure that one out. Heh!"

"Hmm? Oh well if you are looking for a flower to enjoy I would love to guide you through my garden, there are many sweet flowers you can get lost in. I would recommend the Chewy Heart Flower, it is so soft and sweet. Why don't you sit here and gaze at the flowing grape juice stream while you indulge?"

"Eternal Sugar Cookie may be hard to get to leave the gardens but I would like to try. I understand her pains and even as to why she stays but there is so much more to Earthbread that I wish for her to see. I know my hopes are high but perhaps with just a little push, a little sightseeing, she can understand that happiness is fleeting and that is what makes it so precious!"

"Hmm...Well given the fact that we cannot hurt the other I am not in direct danger. But what should be considered is that others around may yet be, I cannot allow her to roam freely to inflict her pain onto others. If I must I will watch over her closely to ensure that no other are put in harm's way. Pure Vanilla Cookie once spoke of gentle misdirection, so if need be I can redirect Mystic Flour Cookie away and keep her close at my side."

"Well frankly I do not wish to be in his presence. That Beast will bring nothing but trouble in the way to achieve his destruction to all four corners of Earthbread...But perhaps the cheese hot springs can do some good to him? If I must remain at the side of Burning Spice Cookie without the threat of harm I can show him to isolated parts of my kingdom, it is not like he is angry all the time, right?"

"I'm sorry...But I don't quite know what I would do as I have not faced my counterpart yet. I do not know what lurks under their mask, but I wish to understand. I want to know what happened, why it happened, how they felt. I won't give up, I can't. The lives of my friends, of all Cookiekind depend on understanding, and if there is no chance for them to reconcile then they have to be sealed away."

"It is of no consequence whether I must spend a day with Dark Cacao Cookie. In fact it may be a good learning experience, an opportunity to show him the truth that all is fleeting. His constant resistance toward my teachings is tiresome but I know he will succumb, they all do."

"What's this? How interesting. Do you really believe such a small request would stop me? I have waited eons in that despicable tree, biding my time while the cracks widen. There had always been cracks, for we could never be truly sealed away and forgotten by time even at the hands of that gnat. Today I shall bide my time once more, not a drop of blood will fall, not even a vase broken. But mistake my quiet for compliance, my stayed hand for obedience and there shall be consequences. What is one more day in the life of an immortal?"

"Oh?! A whole day with Pure Vanilla Cookie? Let me tell you not a second would be left to fate, I can already see it! Oh how juicy it will be, I can't wait to savor Nilly's screams, his little whimpers eheh. His soul jam will be MINE! Because it was always MINE! And when I get my hands on hi- what do you mean we can't hurt him? You're lying right? That puts a damper on my plans. I need to go back to the drawing board."

"Having Hollyberry Cookie for a whole day? That sounds perfect, we hardly spent any time together last time. I can finally convince her to stay in my gardens forever, oh I should prepare juice for her! Would she like a white blanket or a pink blanket? I should lay it under a large lush tree so we will be able to relax in the shade, I can see it all now. I look forward to seeing my other half again, I'm sure she misses me just as much as I miss her! Oh my darling Hollyberry Cookie~"

Hollyberry Cookie may not have wanted to be a brewery owner but she enjoys it to the fullest. With a rotating menu of drinks of all kinds both alcoholic and non-alcoholic she ensures things are kept interesting and invite people to try new things, the environment can be just as versatile from something calm and cozy, R&B or even rock and roll, sometimes hosting tasting venues where things may get out of hand with a few of her finest whiskey bottles being broken but she never took it to heart! Regardless of the atmosphere she does her best in keeping all in her domain safe, sometimes that means guiding someone off of a table, sometimes it means punching and kicking a creep out onto the streets. She strives to create something for everyone whether it be drinking their sorrows away within reason or having the perfect glass to go with a quiet night in.

Dark Cacao Cookie has a dojo, one he has worked for and earn the right to call his own. Those who train here will learn the artform of Taekwondo, not just for the body but for the mind. His students will learn the history from the very first glimpses of the artform being used. They will be taught discipline, strategy, to feel part of something thousands of years older than themselves and that will live on long after, it sounds daunting and truth be told at times it is. Sometimes he forgets that not everyone may be as dedicated as he is, and may need a gentle reminder to allow his students rest and room to fail as it is only through failure does one learn. His words may be sharp but they have always been encouraging even when scolding bad form, he truly wants only the best for his disciples.

Golden Cheese Cookie was a famous track runner in her younger years, surely you have heard of her! People once said she flew with her speed and not even the wind could catch up to her. The motif of golden wings on the back of her track suit would be put in the sport history books. Once she thought she would do it forever, running for all that she stood for, standing at the top grinning but she now sits on a different kind of throne. Rich from her efforts she focused her attentions elsewhere, those who had less than her, she began using her resources to fund charities. Flinging money as if confetti she supported programs that helped the unfortunate without judgment. She was surprised at feeling that same rush of excitement at the sight of smiling babies, cheeks dotted with crumbs and thankful sighs from even the most prideful of people, they were the treasures she sought to protect.

White Lily Cookie wanted to become a scientist, it was all she dreamed about to learn and learn and learn even more about everything around her. However after a few experiments that ended with some parties being injured she was made to leave the profession. It did however lean into her becoming a professor instead, while she may not be making groundbreaking discoveries she can shape the minds and hearts of dozens each semester. At first she came out as sheepish and shy but over time she blossomed into the role, encouraging her students to experiment and explore though hammers in safety rules until everyone has them memorized! She feels a little too prepared for every possible bad situation but her students don't mind too much, in fact they feel safe knowing their dear professor is always ready for whatever comes.

Mystic Flour Cookie is a dog show judge. With an unreadable expression she can make any dog owner nervous, but the animals themselves adore her! She is strict with her rules and very attentive to every detail pointing out even the smallest patch of missing fur from a dog's coat, one glance toward the owner is enough of a scolding to leave sheepish or embarrassed. Her rulings are fair of course and she never holds anything against the dogs even if they act up or make a mess. A particularly friendly pup is sure to bring a smile to her face.

Burning Spice Cookie had done almost everything sport like. Boxing, soccer, tennis, fencing, different forms of martial arts, cricket, track, competitive mountain climbing. He has made careers out of everything, he loves working with his hands above all and any sport involving hand-eye coordination he will dominate in. Though something a little surprising is that he owns a wreck room business, a place where people pay a fee and smash objects as a way to relieve stress and let out anger. There are of course resources for anger management written out on walls but primarily it had become something of a party activity where groups of friends will come in and let loose having fun throwing plates or hammering TVs, he ensures the safety of his clients so protective gear is enforced and no one is going to slip past him without adhering to his rules. He takes pride in the environment he had created though he has never forgotten his roots.

Shadow Milk Cooke of course is a college professor for nearly all subjects under the Art degree program, from music appreciation to theater! He thrives in his space conjuring plays and creating symphonies all of his students should buckle up when he is their professor. His humor can be a little extreme at time but he makes sure the lesson sticks, his students are kept on their toes and taught to either clap back or leave as he won't coddle and expects everyone to pass his class. On top of this he also happens to substitute for other classes regardless of the subject, psychology and statistical methods and history, religion and even the nursing courses! Sometimes the art major students feel as though they cannot escape him...

Eternal Sugar Cookie spends most of her days in her private orphanage where all who enter her doors become her children. She cares for each and every one of her precious ones, even as they grow older they are still her babies! Sometimes it feels as if she does not want them to be adopted however all who are adopted are well rounded and highly educated before this as they only deserve the very best! Those who are not adopted are free to stay here with her at home and work in her flourishing garden full time where she makes a decent living off of alongside her privately funded orphanage. Her little ones are fed well and rarely get sick which she always states it was due to her abundance of love! All in her walls find happiness to express themselves as they grow into beautiful people, though it would be such a shame for them to leave so soon!

"Royal Berry Cookie is a great Cookie and fantastic king, I had him very shortly after the end of the Dark Flour War when my kingdom was in shambles, while I tried raising him I faltered. I could stand here and say how I should have been, but I wasn't and I cannot change the past. I am thankful he has forgiven me and I vow to make a future he can be proud of, to be the hero that he grew up hearing stories of and protect our whole family."

"I do have a son, Dark Choco Cookie. He has learned well from me and I am still proud of the growth he had shown, however I became obsessed with safety, we lived sandwiched between dangerous seas and unforgiving land. My resolution was strong but angled to the wrong things. Convinced it would be the walls that would save us blinded to the needs of my people though their loyalty remained strong. Even while the threat of Mystic Flour Cookie still lingers I shall wait for him to return to me, so we may talk all the words left unsaid."

"Aha almost did! It was some time before the Dark Flour War, The Vanilla Kingdom was prospering and even I was beginning to foster something of a kingdom of my own, not with the intention of breaking away but originally to get more resources for ourselves. I had everything picked out already, ingredients and even a name! I wanted something as glorious as myself of course so I narrowed it down to a few, Pure Vanilla Cookie helped me settle on the name Rich Cheese Cookie. I think after we defeat Dark Enchantress Cookie for good and I rebuild my Golden Cheese Kingdom I shall...Well better to focus on one step at a time for now."

"While I experimented on making the perfect cookie back then I didn't actually think about them being my child funnily enough, I always imaged it would use someone else's ingredients. I've been so absorbed in my work and the search for the truth I had never considered settling down...However I know that Dark Enchantress Cookie has children, Matcha Cookie I hear was made by her and that she had helped Red Velvet Cookie as a child and he has followed her since. Not to mention Choco Werehound Brute, Licorice Cookie, Pomegranate Cookie and Poison Mushroom Cookie. Even if they hate me and I had no hand in shaping their dough I feel responsible to give them the best chances at thriving in this world."

"No. Even before everything I had no interest in having children of my own. I considered all that came to me children needing my help and guidance, almost if not all contained flour which I considered a piece of me in every Cookie. I was absorbed in trying to grant the wishes of everyone who came to me to consider having children. Such things no longer matter."

"It was eons ago, when the trees were just starting to reach for the sky and kingdoms were only just blueprints and lines in the dirt. I witnessed Cookies have children, and those children grow old and have some for themselves. Yet it was one of the things I could never have for myself. Too many duties to uphold, history to record and nurture...Bah! I tire of speaking such drivel, where is Nutmeg Tiger Cookie? I wish to go hunting!"

"Do you know who you are speaking to? I am the Fount of Knowledge! They were all children to me! When you are teaching all those little specs what the world was they were as naive as children anyhow. Who needed to make their own Baby Dough when hundreds were brought in every year? I shaped the minds of generations! Now look! Magic and lore and myth and mischief and lies aannndd deceit! Ha! Closest I have to kids now are my little minions Candy Apple Cookie and Black Sapphire Cookie. Though I still have one pesky discipline that is having a difficult time getting my lessons to stick."

"I have always longed for children of my own, believing I would be a great mother. Others thrived in my gardens of course, that was my main goal above all, my purpose... I do have Pavlova cookie of course! He can be a little tricky at times but he is happy here! That is all that matters."

"It's no secret that I had a little bit of a difficult time going against my counterpart but I know I have come back stronger than ever. I know I can face her once more, with open arms and determination we can overcome our grief together! As long as she doesn't encase me in her jewelry box again.."

"Mystic Flour Cookie has been thwarted for now, but I know very well that unless you have seen your enemy crumbled before you, they are often not gone. I expect to see her once more and I will put her childish antics to rest, whether with words or by force. My resolution remains unbroken!"

"How I feel about Burning Spice Cookie? Ha what is there to feel? I have beaten him before and I will again. I doubt he return after I absolutely humiliated him hohoho, but if he does I will not be alone."

"I am indifferent, of course. Dark Cacao Cookie is nothing but a misbehaving student, deliberately ignoring my teachings. It is tiresome but he will learn, either by words or by force. I will not allow him to linger any longer."

"Golden Cheese Cookie. Golden Cheese Cookie. Golden Cheese Cookie... She defeated me, but she has not ended me. That will be her mistake, her downfall. It has been so long since I've felt an ounce of pain, this stinging, BURNING! It's exhilarating! FINALLY! I look forward to the next time our blades clash."

"Ooh my sweet little Vanilly! So kind, so forgiving, so foolish. Such a tiring smile, I cannot wait to see it it wiped off his stupid face! Uggh... Even the thought of that thief makes my jam boil. But this show isn't over yet, act two is in the works and when it hits the big screen? EheheheheahahahahaAHAHAHAHAH"

"Did someone say Hollyberry Cookie? Oh my dear sweet other half. She will be back, she promised after all! I will be waiting for her, I do not care about my gardens unless she is in them. I long for her to be in my arms and to finally rest and relax. I can wait as long as I need, oh my dear Hollyberry Cookie~"

"I am doing well as the new guardian. The faeries, it feels as though they have been waiting eons for me....It was overwhelming at first, I understand how my friends felt in their first year of being kings and queens. But truly I feel so lucky! I am thankful for every step I may take, I just hope I can meet their expectations..."