Chapter Text
It started as just a small cough. A small, inconsequential thing that shouldn’t have even bothered him. Black Sapphire was not one to be a wimp when it came to illnesses, but this small cough had been persistent. He’d been hiding it from Shadow Milk and Candy Apple well enough, though Candy Apple seemed to have a suspicion that something wasn’t right. She’d been going easier on him, lately. With everything that had happened in Earthbread recently, the last thing he needed was to add more worries to his master’s plate. The kingdoms were crumbling, war was everywhere, and he already knew the toll it was taking. Nothing had been going according to Shadow Milk’s plan. Black Sapphire coughed again, his hand covering his mouth in an attempt to hide the pitiful noise. The cough had been slowly worsening, each one sending a new painful sensation through his throat as he coughed himself raw. He’d been held up in his room the past few days, doing his best to not only give Shadow Milk some space, but also figure out what sort of illness he’d come down with. It wasn’t like him to get sick, the only other illness he’s had in the past merely being a result of overworking and fatigue, or some sort of punishment. Whatever this was, it was powerful, strong enough to bypass whatever magic Shadow Milk had used when corrupting him, whatever part of himself he had put into Black Sapphire. The cookie coughed again, raising his hand to his mouth. His head spun for a moment as he dissolved into a coughing fit, closing his eyes and idling it to stop. Pain shot through his throat as each cough tore at the already raw dough. When he finally stopped, he took a deep breath, moving his hand away from his face.
White. His hand pulled away from his mouth covered in a white substance. White powder like… flour, covered his hand where he’d coughed into it. Black Sapphire’s eyes widened. He quickly wiped it away on his suit, ignoring the sinking feeling in his chest, and the small white spot it left on his suit. Shadow Milk had come by earlier and told him he was needed later in the day, that he had to stop ‘moping around his room’. If only Shadow Milk knew why. Black Sapphire straightened his outfit once more, before opening his door and beginning his walk to the main floor of the spire. Usually, he would use his wings to glide down the many stairs that led from his room, but his wings felt so incredibly… weak. They looked like wilting flowers sitting at his sides, not perked up and on display like usual. It took him what felt like ages as he trudged down the stairs, moving as fast as his headache would allow. When he finally arrived in the main room, Candy Apple and Shadow Milk were already waiting for him.
”Black Sapphire! How kind of you to join us.” Shadow Milk teased, tilting his head at an unnatural angle. Black Sapphire stiffened at the gesture, but relaxed when he saw Candy Apple behind Shadow Milk practically vibrating in excitement.
”You’ve been in your room so long Sapphy!” She yelled out, a big toothy grin on her face. Black Sapphire smiled down at her, walking past Shadow Milk to ruffle her hair. If only he’d seen the small, patchy white spot forming on her candy apple headwear…
”I’ve noticed you cooped up in your room so I’ve arranged a simple task for you.” Shadow Milk cut in on the mini heartfelt reunion. Black Sapphire hadn’t even noticed Shadow Milk float over to him. When had he gotten thee? He was a few feet away just seconds ago… Black Sapphire nodded, another cough tickling the back of his throat. Unable to hold it back, he disguised it as clearing his throat. Trying to lie to the master of deceit, that wouldn’t go well for him. If Shadow Milk noticed his little deception, he didn’t say anything about it.
“Yes, master Shadow Milk?” Black Sapphire asked, ignoring how scratchy his throat felt as he spoke.
”The spire’s in a bit of… disarray. No thanks to some recent shenanigans from Candy Apple.” Shadow Milk looked over to the girl, who shrank back a bit under his gaze, though her toothy grin never left her face. “I need you to clean the place up a bit. Shouldn’t be too hard, right?” Shadow Milk looked at Black Sapphire with an expression that told him his answer didn’t really matter. “Though, that seems a bit, too easy. How about… let’s see… get it done by this afternoon!” A sadistic grin formed on Shadow Milk’s face, and Black Sapphire assumed this was want as some sort of punishment. After all, he hadn’t told anyone why he was really in his room, ignoring summons or knocks at his door. He knew some sort of punishment was inevitable for not listening to his master, and this seemed to be the most preferable outcome to anything else. Cleaning wouldn’t be too hard, though he hoped the strain on his body wouldn’t make whatever was affecting him worse.
”You won’t be doing this alone.” Shadow Milk spoke again, his tone slightly softer. “This mess is mostly Candy Apple’s fault.” Shadow Milk looked over to the girl, who was suddenly very interested in her shoes. “It wouldn’t be fair to make you clean it alone when she’s the one who’s caused it. So she’ll be helping!” His tone was like a disappointed father scolding his kids. It was weird to Black Sapphire, he almost never used that tone with them. Has he realized something was off, and was going easy on the two? No, that couldn’t be it.
Black Sapphire nodded in acknowledgment, before honking better of it and responding verbally.
”Yes, master Shadow Milk. Understood, I’ll have the place cleaned by…” He paused, as if just now realizing how little time he had to complete his task. “…this afternoon.” Black Sapphire waited for Shadow Milk to turn to leave, before sighing. He looked to Candy Apple, who was looking up at him with an apologetic look.
”It probably would’ve been only me cleaning, if you hadn’t been cooped up in your room for three days.” She probably meant it to be reassuring but there was a clear look of relief on her face.
”You probably would’ve had more time.” Black Sapphire sighed. “Or he would have made me clean it up while you got a different punishment.” He hummed thoughtfully. “He’s… changed recently.” Black Sapphire hadn’t meant to say that last part out loud, but both of the minions knew it was true. He had been going easy on them recently, and although Candy Apple and Black Sapphire would never admit it, it unnerved them. Black Sapphire sighed, snapping his fingers and transforming his staff into a broom and looking around at the wreckage.
”So, where should we start?”