Chapter Seven: Rising Tension.
The Jailhouse was filled with multiple barely six foot by four rooms, as Detective Almond walked through the gloomy darkened halls, filled with shattered pieces of glasses, and other small metals that the low class criminals would use to try and escape the thick metal bars that stood in between their future to debt. Detective Almond disappointedly sighed to himself, realizing that he would no longer be able to hide the devastating truth of what the kingdom had come to. The stench of sewage and sneaking in cigars made Detective Almond want to gag, but he kept it in, back straight as he went deeper into the Jailhouse.
Detective Almond went down stairs to the Jailhouse, the dimmed lights became more dim, if that were possible, as a black, hard metal door rested in the detective's peripheral vision. Detective Almond paused, unsure if this choice was truly the only way to go, he thought to himself, then remembered the phone call to the forbidden bar that always contained a couple bodies, every other week. The way the body was shot was the worst part, the arrow that was inflicted into the cookie had infected and burned the cookie slightly, the idea of murdering, whether it was for justice and a good motive, or just for the hell of it.
Detective Almond walked towards the black metal door, as the two guards bowed to him as a sign of respect towards the detective.
"He's looked inside, he's made attempts to escape, almost succeeding twice, but stopped tryin' after we arrested him, sir,' ' one of the guards said, tightening the grip of their weapon.
"Thank you kindly, your honor is served," the detective explained. "However, I must do what must be done, and discuss with him some important insight, so if you may..."
"Open the doors."
The guards hesitated at first, both looking at each other in confusion and worry, but needless to say, they both nodded hesitantly to each other, then to the detective, as the guard on the left had used his metal like key, and unlocked the door. As the door creaked open, the cold-weathered like air seeped through the detective's thin white shirt, taking one last warm deep breath, as he entered the dimly lit jail cell.
Slight daylight half broken light bulb dimmed in between Detective Almond, and the cookie across from them. The solid floors and walls that filled looked pitch black, yet he still felt the color of dark grey, and dullness in the cell. It was horrifying to see that face once more, those coffee yet smoke colored eyes sent a shiver down the detective's spine, but held his head eye, as he held the file of the dead cookie in his hands, looking at the cookie he still feared, dead in the eye.
"Far too long it has been ever since your multiple felonies in these towns," the Detective said, hissing under his breath nervously. "A shame that the one who created the first well known magic decided to turn to the dark side? Do you have no shame for what you did?"
"Do you not understand the consequences of your pathetic actions?!"
"If you are here to make fun of me, I won't hesitate to keep silent. You are here for a reason, so don't waste my time with your pathetic insults," the cookie across the detective said, rolling his eyes. The detective jumped slightly as the figure stood up, those eyes becoming slightly taller as the taller cookie walked into the dimmed light, those familiar light golden glasses shining lightly into the light, as the cookie looked down at the Detective's file.
"So you need me for yet another one of these murder cases that have no use or benefit to me?" Before the detective could respond, the cookie hissed under his breath as he grabbed the collar of the detective's tie, pulling it up harshly as the cookie's smokey eyes narrowed with anger.
"You dare to doubt me and use me as a toy? Do you not remember my name? The one who wielded coffee magic like it was nothing?!" The cookie shouted, the guards immediately looked behind as they prepared to fire their guns, but Almond quickly put his hand up to signify he was okay. As the guards put their guns down, the angered cookie put Almond down as he scoffed.
"If you need me to help you, I expect something in return. Be more like your wife won't you?"
Detective Almond hesitated as he heard the mention of his now deceased wife, but took a deep breath, before he confronted the cookie for what he wished.
"All I ask from you, is to serve me once, and to use your magic for the sake of justice for the recent cookie that had died in the bar you once worked with, with your old mafia," the detective explained as he gave the smoke eyed cookie the file, the cookie opened it, not even feeling an ounce of sympathy.
"The cookie here died from a straight impact to the head, it was found near the dumpster, he was decapitated probably around the same time he was shot. Whatever he was shot with must've been powerful enough to burn through his skull and brain, just one arrow," the detective continued.
"And what exactly must this do with me?" the cookie asked.
"I interviewed someone a while ago, and I have high suspicions of them, however, it's difficult to perform an arrest unless I gain enough evidence. You yourself were, and still are the most powerful mafia this kingdom has to offer."
"Just get to the point already-"
"In return for your assistance, look for a cookie who has a weapon that wields only arrows, and track the other cookie who may have decapitated the victim. In return, you may roam free, and you will be ignored by me, and my justice team."
The guards and the cookie's eyes widened. The guard's eyes widened with fear at the detective's choice, while the cookie's eyes went back to normal, his face darkened as a devilish smirk appeared on his face. His chance to shine and finally gain back his reputation.
"I accept your offer, detective, only under the condition that you use a contract as a way to fully confirm my freedom from solitary," the cookie's robe lifted lightly as his magic appeared due to the pure excitement and the idea to return to his cruel ways. The detective closed his eyes, then opened them with confidence as he shook the other cookie's hand, a slight magic aura appeared with their hand shake, fully solidifying the mafia's and detective's deal.
"It's a pleasure to finally come to a compromise with you..."
"Espresso."
Cigars and the graphite that came out of it lingered through the floorboards as Licorice sweeped the graphite with annoyance. The fact that he had known Pomegranate and Parfait were related, still roamed around in his mind, still refusing to believe that two polar opposites were related, of course, siblings aren't going to be exactly the same, unless they are twins, but the fact that they had differed from each other so much, just proved... impossible. Impossible to believe that those two cookies had a type of bond, yet it felt as though they had been enemies for years and years.
Despite Licorice not being interested in Pomegranate, he always couldn't help but think about who she once was, if Parfait still gave her multiple chances. The two cookies were mysterious, far more mysterious than what was on the surface.
In one pair of dice, you had Parfait, the star of the show, the one who never dared to harm anyone. Yet on the other side of the die, you could clearly see that Parfait would hold types similar grudges like Pomegranate would. Parfait would never wish death on them, at least, so far he hasn't seen that, yet.
In the other pair of dice, you had the last piece of the puzzle, Pomegranate. An unfortunate soul subjected to favoritism and abuse as she would constantly abuse others around her. Licorice never liked the idea of alleging her for being abused, but the only way one can truly be an abuser, is that if they themselves were abused one either in childhood, or other relationships or friendships they had.
It's a fair deal, he thought to himself. Afterall, that's why he ended up becoming a mafia, an abuser of power. A majority of the cookies here suffered through years and years of abuse, even Red Velvet was subjected to the worst of it, yet even daring to bring his abuse or trauma into light, would cause you hours, even months of pain, subjected by him, and only him.
The creaked door, still stained slightly with blood due to criminals getting into physical fights and not being stopped, had opened slowly as Pomegranate walked out of the door, slightly calmer then how she had lashed out yesterday. Licorice looked at her as he paused her sweeping, a flag going up in his head as he saw Pomegranate, more humbled, hesitant even.
"Salutations, Licorice," Pomegranate said firmly as she walked towards him, her face still being in her typical, serious self. Her lips almost formed a show of disgust at even greeting Licorice.
"Morning Pomegranate," Licorice said, the awkward silence weighing more than the room they were in. Licorice took a deep breath as he looked towards Pomegranate, the emotion of slight regret on his face was traced by Pomegranate.
"I... hope you still aren't bothered by what happened in the backstage place. But, I want to let you know that I know everything."
"Everything you say?" Pomegranate said as she wiped her mirror, not focusing on Licorice's skeptical gaze, yet could feel it slightly as Pomegranate had gotten annoyed with the fact that he was trying to go head first into her life.
"I know everything between you and Parfait." Licorice gripped the scythe he held in his other hand tightly, he dropped the broom and pointed the scythe towards Pomegranate, she flinched slightly at his sudden movements, causing her to look up at him with a monotone, yet even more twisted look of anger.
"You dare to say that traitor's name in front of me? Have you no shame for the respect of my ex-family's tree?" Pomegranate growled. "You decide to play with fire, not knowing you will get burnt, boy."
Licorice pointed the scythe closer to Pomegranate's face, her disgusted look, now turning to a more devilish grin as she looked up towards his face, knowing he would not truly hurt her, even if she persuaded him multiple times.
"Do it, you worthless coward!"
Licorice gulped at her sudden raise of voice, but before anything could happen, the door to the bar opened widely, causing Licorice to immediately drop his scythe and instantly pick up the broom, as the familiar cookie with his cake-like hand walked into the bar.
"Morning Velvet, surprised you didn't get caught at this time of the day. Impressive," Licorice commented, his face still sweating slightly, as Red Velvet glared down at Licorice with a skeptical gaze.
"Salutations to both of you. My apologies for being gone for so long," Red Velvet said. "I had something to attend to last night, needed to make sure I couldn't get my ass sued."
"Just say you hooked up with the black hatted woman Red Velvet," Pomegranate giggled slightly as Red Velvet scoffed and turned his head.
"It was a one time thing!" Red Velvet yelled out slightly. "Besides, it won't cause me any harm, I swore that I won't see her again, it was a... test of her ability to fight."
"Well, if 'hooking up knowingly with a cookie you knew as an unfaithful enemy' is considered 'fighting' towards you, my invitation to John Doe's little tea party should be a 'splendid' fight," Pomegranate sarcastically said, as she went around Red Velvet to do the door as she tilted her head slightly as she paused in her tracks.
"I think the cookie who wishes to see me, wishes for his eye back, Red Velvet."
Red Velvet paused at her words, immediately looking behind him to demand answers, but Pomegranate had already left. Red Velvet grunted in anger as he stormed off before Licorice could ask his question. Red velvet slammed his saw-like sword onto the wall of the exit of the bar as he looked back slightly towards Licorice's position of where he was.
"Sharpen my sword will you?"
"These 'games' from those two, are nothing but insignificant attempts to piss me off." Red Velvet walked off as Licorice worriedly looked down, then walked up to the sword Red Velvet had slammed against the now cracked wall. Licorice looked down at the reflection of the silver saw sword.
Licorice went onto his knees, no longer being able to control his tough persona, his regret to joining any evil type of mafia or group in general caused him to almost break into tears.
"Red Velvet... what happened to you?..."
"Has Raspberry Cookie and Espresso harmed you that badly?"
Red Velvet went to his room as he instantly slammed the door, following with the motion of slamming his back onto the door as he yelled out with anger. His emotions suddenly conflicted for no odd reason as his hands gripped into a fist, slamming the back of his fist onto the wall. Chiffon woke up as he flinched at his owner's aggression.
"Dammit you!... Why must my past affect me so heavily on how I wish to treat and love others around me?!" Red Velvet yelled to himself. The memories of Raspberry Cookie and Espresso coming back to him for some odd reason, being all alone felt so strange to him. The idea of missing that touch he had, the idea of a family praising him, reminded him of who he once was, before he switched over to the dark side.
Was he really that in debt to his forbidden love? The cookie who he fell in love with, was much more different compared to him, afterall:
She was a saint, while he, was a sinner.
Blackberry stared out, into the open window near the kitchen, a place where she once used to cook for her beloved Onion. The kitchen curtains stood flatly, not moving a single inch as Blackberry had not finished her final stage of grief, being the acception of the fact that not only her daughter was declared dead, but because of how Blackberry would push those that she adored and appreciated, into a hole of negativity. Adventurer Cookie walked down the stairs as he held the vase of flowers Blackberry bought for Pastry, and looked at his wife worried.
Adventurer Cookie sighed as he put the vases down on the dining room table as he walked towards his wife, hugging his slightly taller wife from behind, looking down at the family photo of Onion Cookie, himself, and his beloved wife.
"It's been far too long since I had seen her beautiful face," Blackberry said, hesitating within her words. "Please give the flowers to Pastry, as an issue of my apology to her."
"I promise to give the flowers to Pastry, please stay home my love," Adventurer Cookie sighed, kissing his wife on the cheek as his beloved wife slightly smiled before Adventurer Cookie let go of his arms and picked up the vase of flowers as he opened the door, and shut it quietly.
Blackberry sighed to herself, as she went to the living room, and implanted her oxygen mask, as she began to rest. Knowing her final days were to come.
As Adventurer Cookie walked out with the plotted flower vase, filled with flowers with the meaning of forgiveness, he walked by the poor homeless who begged for money. He couldn't help but feel guilty at what the kingdom had become. Even hearing the murder of the cookie who was decapitated caused even more guilt, causing Adventurer Cookie to put his head down.
He knew that his wife would be next to die, knowing that she had difficulties breathing due to her smoking habits. The idea of losing his wife after his daughter, caused him to tear up slightly. As Adventurer Cookie became unaware of his surroundings, a loud thud instantly alerted him as he fell to the floor, the vase and some of the flowers slightly breaking in front of him, as in his vision was a robed cookie, picking up the flowers and putting them carefully back in the vase.
Adventurer Cookie worried as grabbed the cookie's hands, the cookie looking up at him slightly confused at his sudden emotions.
"Ah! My... My apologies dear sire, forgive me!" Adventurer said as he quickly shoved the flowers into the vase as he let go of the cookie's hands. He immediately picked up the vase with one hand, wrapping his arm around it as he used the other hand to help the black robbed cookie with a hoodie covering his face and physical appearance. The cookie took Adventurer Cookie's hand, bowing his head slightly.
"My my, no need to apologize," the cookie said. Adventurer was instantly taken aback by the smooth, yet monotone voice the unfamiliar cookie had. His voice speaked like sweet tea, so smooth yet elegant and high classed. Adventurer couldn't help but fluster a little at his voice before quickly shaking his head to snap out of his mind's weird language.
"I wish to get to know you more, for some odd reason you intrigue me," the cookie continued. "What is your name so I can remember to repay you for your politeness?"
"Adventurer Cookie!" Adventurer Cookie said. "What is yours?"
"Ah, refer to me as...," the cookie paused, then grinned as he made up his name.
"Call me Demitasse, it's the fancier way of saying a... 'certain' type of coffee from my hometown."
"Such an elegant name for such a sweet sounding cookie! Ah- Not like I am trying to flirt, my apologies!" Adventurer Cookie stuttered nervously as he bowed his tan cowboy hat towards the robed cookie, the robed cookie chuckled at the nervousness of this new cookie he had never interacted with before.
"Well, it was nice meeting you uh... Mr. Demitasse! I hope I can catch you around town!"
"Ah, why can't you stay?" Adventurer Cookie could feel his flusterness grow rapidly as the robed cookie walked slightly closer to Adventurer Cookie, feeling the deep, yet calming voice approach him. Adventurer Cookie couldn't help but instantly run off, exclaiming he had to see a friend, at least, from what the robed cookie could comprehend as Adventurer Cookie ran off as he held his hat.
Espresso looked at his hand in which Adventurer Cookie previously held, a condescending, yet intrigued smile formed on his face as he put his hand down as he walked away. Still slightly giggling to himself from time to time at Adventurer's flusterness and nervousness.
"Charming and cute," Espresso said to himself quietly as he walked by the crowd.
"Looks like I got a little treat to deal with."