The Headmaster sat in cold contempt at the meeting table. Both flanking him and guarding the doors to the conference room were Crème Knight paladins; each adorned with tough baked armor and staring straight ahead with unfeeling eyes and motionless stances. Resting at their hips were sharpened -but thankfully sheathed at the moment- blades. He could probably take them- if he hadn't lose his axe in the fallout of Capsaicin's meltdown. "Capsaicin Cookie..." he thought to himself angrily as he ran through his current situation. He should be monitoring the traumatized boy; not playing Law and Order with the two Academy Heads. But he was hauled off shortly after the two senior educators arrived, and only stopped kicking and struggling once they promised him that Capsaicin Cookie would be returned to the Scovillia Quarters under strict surveillance. Even that was just pushing it for him.
He sighed as he attempted to ignore the dull pain emanating from his dough. He'd received light first aid (that was the bare minimum he allowed them to administer) and the soft cotton candy bandages tending to his more burnt portions provided only brief relief. "They didn't even let me get my mask back" he snorted to himself internally. They must be REAL angry at him this time. Without moving his head, his eyes turned their gaze to scrutinize one of the guards flanking him. "Although it feels insulting to be babysat by Cookies who I probably attended graduation for" he thought to himself dourly as he crossed his arms.
The Principal and Preceptor sure were taking their sweet time arriving. "Either they're trying to sweat me out or..." his eyes narrowed as the second possibility came into thought. "... They're setting preparations for Capsaicin Cookie...!". Staying calm despite panic trying to claw its way through his seasoned mind, Molten Magma Cookie cleared his throat and addressed the guards.
"If they're not here within the next 5 minutes, I'm walking out that door and you rascals would be wise to let me" he said with an even, hardened voice. He didn't let on that these rascals could absolutely hold him there indefinitely in his condition, but manipulating the situation was a gambit that he'd practiced often- considering he WAS once a young Cookie, despite his current high standings.
The guards did not shift their gaze nor acknowledge his declaration as they continued to stand there. "By the Dragon's Valley, how does Chouquette Cookie train them!?" he thought to himself incredulously. If these were his own students they'd be at least challenging him to a fight!
He once more looked around the room in an attempt to piece together a plan of action. The way he envisioned it going down; his academic equals would enter through that reinforced door, sit down, tell him they're taking matters into their owns hands and promptly dragging Capsaicin Cookie away to the-Red-Dragon-knows-where to be chained up. Something he wasn't 'gonna let happen while he was still head honcho. "If a single crumb on him is out of placed...!" he thought to himself angrily before quickly changing his tune. Anger wouldn't solve anything; he'd have to be smart and tactful. "Just relax and keep thinking. If he's being guarded, Capsaicin Cookie is most likely resting in either my or the Champion's Quarters..." he thought to himself rationally.
His eyes wandered around the conference room, taking in its contents. The grand table seated before him was barren save for a decorative white sugar sculpture of the Triple Cone Cup trophy. Okay, potential weapon if things turn sour. Scanning the walls, he looked at the numerous photographs and paintings housed in intricate frames that hung on its warm cream wallpaper. Depicted were past Triple Cone Cups along with their Champions and victors, as well as a photo of the three Academy Heads celebrating the end of the Tournament together. "Doubt there'd be times like that again" he thought to himself despondently. He did enjoy the company and antics of the other Academy Heads, despite Chouquette Cookie being stuck up and hilariously hot-headed and Crème Fouettée Cookie seemingly having a lecture for everything. Their friendship kept the Triple Cone Cup refreshing and good-spirited, though it'll most likely be tested heavily during the impending meeting.
Sighing, he rested his chin on his upright arm as he waited.
Kouign-Amann Cookie looked around her Champion's Quarters, feeling the least bit like a Champion. For one, the Tournament was put on 'emergency hold' (per her Preceptor's words) as they dealt with 'an unforeseen danger that snuck in'.
She didn't need to think hard about what THAT meant.
"I feel like I'm on house arrest" she thought to herself sourly as she rested splayed out on her downy bed. When the Headmaster had yelled at her and Prune Juice Cookie to 'get help', they'd ran- well, she herself did while carrying Prune Juice Cookie. She swore the inky Champion was getting too familiar with such an act- as fast as they could back to their respective Academy Heads. But what met her outside the Crème Knights' Quarters was a stone-faced Preceptor that barred her from getting even within a mile of any Scovillian and quickly ushered her into her Quarters.
She assumed Prune Juice Cookie had met the same fate against his Principal.
To pile more onto her overwhelmed psyche, she had heard mentions of their senior paladins in training being allocated to guard Cookies of interest. She couldn't glean much info about who, exactly, these Cookies were- but she had a feeling that one of them was Capsaicin Cookie. "Ugh, this Tournament has turned into such a mess. I should just start packing to return to the Republic" she thought to herself, feeling rather downcast at the prospect of abandoning the competition and her newly made friends. Trying to push that thought into a more positive zone, she lifted her head slightly to look at the object held tightly in her gloved hand.
It was the Crème Knights' relic, which would've given her a fighting chance at winning the Tournament had an unexpected fork in the road not changed their plans. She didn't have time to deliver it to Gelato Trio Cookie.
A knock at her door startled her from her pessimistic thoughts. Curious, she gingerly sat up and hopped off her bed, making swift route to the ornately decorated door. Turning its knob, she was pleasantly surprised to see her senior, Madeleine Cookie, standing on the other side.
"Kouign-Amann Cookie! How are you feeling?" he asked in his regal voice as he gave her an award-winning smile. "Facing that monster must've been tough on you, but like a true paladin you persevered!"
Kouign-Amann Cookie blushed slightly at the praise. "Ah, I'm fine, Madeleine Cookie! My clothes got the worst of it" she said while looking down at her frilly pink ballgown. She had changed out of the singed one given she wouldn't be leaving her Quarters anytime soon. "So..." she said, attempting to disguise the fact that she was 100% fishing for information. "... Is there any news about the Tournament? What happens now?"
Nailed it.
Madeleine Cookie gave a dramatic sigh as he flipped his blonde hair back with a free hand. "That, I do not know!" he said with a tone of annoyance. "Without a Champion, Scovillia will have to forfeit; leaving only two Champions to compete"
She looked at the senior paladin quizzically. "'Without a Champion'?" she repeated in confusion. "But what about Capsaicin Cookie? He can still compete" she argued in defense of her friend. Sure, last Trial was... Rough- but he was still capable of competing in the Tournament!
"That monster? Kouign-Amann Cookie, are you SURE you're okay?" he asked, misplaced concern in his voice. "The Preceptor put me in charge of securing that beast to prevent further destruction" he finished while sighing at the young Champion's obvious lack of common sense.
Kouign-Amann Cookie's eyes widened and heart sank at hearing those words. "By the Divine Light..." she thought to herself in disbelief as she watched the senior paladin go on.
"In my divine opinion, I proposed we imprison the beast at the Crème Republic seeing as how the Scovillians are utterly unequipped to deal with such a calamity" he said haughtily. "I've got a sneaking suspicion that they freed that monster for the sole purpose of beating us in the Triple Cone Cup. What a disgraceful act!"
Madeleine Cookie that opinion was anything but divine! Kouign-Amann Cookie quickly gulped and shook her head in forced agreement. She didn't want Madeleine Cookie to think that she was disagreeing with every word that came out of his mouth.
"A-ah... Thanks for the news, Madeleine Cookie" she said uneasily as she gave the senior paladin a curt smile. "I... I think I'm going to get some rest, now! You were right, fighting that..." she paused for a second as the next word felt disgusting on her tongue. "... Monster, really took a lot out of me!"
Madeleine Cookie closed his eyes and gave her a smile. "I'm perceptive as always! Now do get some rest, you deserve it" he said regally as he turned to leave the pink Champion to her Quarters. "Oh! And Financier Cookie is currently on guard duty, thus if you need anything just ask me!" he added.
"A-ah, I will!" she said, feigning gratitude as a bead of sweat appeared on her forehead. Closing the door slowly behind the senior paladin, Kouign-Amann Cookie quickly put her back against it and began to panic.
"Oh Light, what are they doing?" she thought to herself in a panic as her mind raced. Okay, deep breath. Her fellow paladins and Preceptor have somehow apprehended the wounded Capsaicin Cookie and tasked Madeleine Cookie with securing him. Which means that the Headmaster is tied up with something and possibility doesn't know what's happening behind the scenes. "The Headmaster was in rough shape when we left to get help..." she gulped as she realized that the burly Head was probably worse off after having protected her and Prune Juice Cookie so much during the previous battle.
She stood there in silence for what felt like hours, mind racing with possibilities that each screamed a case for her to follow.
"... Alright, I know what I have to do" she thought to herself with steeled resolve that melted away all panic and hesitation as she heeded the call of one thought. She was a paladin in training under the guidance of the Divine Light, a symbol of fairness and protector of justice- which was a status that goes WELL beyond the Republic. And what she was witnessing was an act of injustice so grave that she'd be betraying not only the Paladin's Code, but herself as well if she resisted the urge to act.
"I hope you'll understand, Preceptor..." she thought to herself as a plan of action materialized in her mind.
But she needed help to do so...
Prune Juice Cookie sighed as he buried his face disinterestedly in his recipe book. Normally, the mere thought of concocting new brews would be enough to completely engross himself in his work, but all it served to do right now was make him more aware of the situation at hand. As soon as he stepped foot near the perimeter of the Parfaedia Quarters, he was swept in by his worried Principal and professors- despite his protests that it wasn't HIM who needed urgent assistance. "Judging by the fact that I haven't heard word from either the Principal or the professors, I can only surmise that they're not currently in the vicinity" he postulated as he continued absentmindedly reading ingredients and instructions.
He had an inkling to the goings on happening outside his chambers, but he didn't like anything he came up with. What was for certain in his eyes is that both the Scovillia Headmaster and Capsaicin Cookie were in serious trouble following the fallout of the second Trial. He didn't blame his Principal, of course. After all, he DID almost become a pile of Prune Juice Cookie flavored ash billowing through the completely burnt half of the Mountains of Trials and Harmony. He quickly discarded the thought- things turned out for the better. Well, more or less so.
He turned his attention back to his bubbling cauldron. There may be uncertainty surrounding whether or not the Tournament will continue, but he'd be damned if he didn't prepare just in case. "Hmmm, I just need something to catalyze the reaction..." he thought to himself deeply. "... If I succeed, this brew could-" his thought was cut short as he heard a TINK strike the outside of the stained glass window in his Quarters.
"Oh this can't be good" he sighed to himself as he turned his attention to the window. Scooting closer, he peeked beyond its mesmerizing indigo and azure coloration to see beyond the veil.
Standing outside was a VERY familiar looking ballgown-wearing Cookie.
He promptly facepalmed as he braced himself for the shenanigans that would certainly ensue with the Crème Knights' Champion outside his room.
Kouign-Amann threw another rock.
"Would you stop that!" he hissed despite the fact that the ballgown-wearing Champion couldn't hear him. Annoyed, he shook his head and crossing his arms in a X pattern to signal that he wanted nothing to do with this.
Again, he was met with a rock, which bounced off the reflective material with another loud tink.
Now royally ticked off, he hastily undid the lock keeping the window shut and opened it a crack.
"What do you want!?" he said incredulously as Kouign-Amann Cookie hurriedly stepped closer to the window.
"Your help, duh" she said matter-of-factly as she pushed the window open and climbed inside. A remarkable feat considering she was still holding her mighty greatsword with one hand.
Prune Juice Cookie staggered back in shock as she dusted herself off and looked around his room.
"Less dustier than I'd imagine" she said bluntly as the inky Champion continued to stare at her dumbfoundedly.
"WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE!?" he finally managed to choke out. Not only was he supposed to be under Quarters arrest, but now Kouign-Amann was standing IN HIS ROOM. And all she had to say was lame quip!?
She gave him a sly smile. T-THAT HUSSY! THAT WAS HIS THING!
"I said, I needed your help" she repeated herself. Prune Juice Cookie mentally facepalmed as he realized that he had completely skipped over her previous answer.
"Alright, alright, but for what!?" he said as he crossed his arms and eyed the ballgown-wearing Champion. Her dress was unburnt and looking fresher than usual. What kind of Cookie has two of those dresses? His eyes resisted the urge to look at his own wardrobe teaming with multiples of the same purple robes.
She sighed and a serious expression crossed her face. "To help Capsaicin Cookie" she said as she rested her greatsword against her shoulder. "And I can't do it alone"
Prune juice Cookie looked at her skeptically. "Him? Yeah I don't think he needs help" he said while fighting back a niggling thought trying to work its way to the front of his psyche. "He seemed pretty capable of handling a group of seasoned Cookies all by himself" he stated matter-of-factly.
Kouign-Amann Cookie looked at him in disbelief. "Prune Juice Cookie, you know VERY well Capsaicin Cookie was in terrible pain during that second Trial" she said sharply, appalled at the inky Champion's words.
"And do you know how worried he was about you during the first Trial!?" she went further, taking a step closer to the uneasy Champion. "He was practically frozen in fear while you worked your deceitful trick!"
The thought finally broke through his barriers and shoved its way to the forefront of his mind. Kouign-Amann Cookie... Had a point. Despite being competitors,- he couldn't believe he was admitting this, even to himself- he sort of... Liked being around the fiery, arrogant, loud-mouthed Champion. Even when he humiliated the burly Cookie during the celebratory feast, he commended Prune Juice Cookie on his brew; even if it was in an odd way. It was refreshing being around someone that didn't pity or ignore him simply for being utterly useless at magic. Matter of fact, he didn't even think Capsaicin Cookie KNEW what magic was.
Prune Juice Cookie sighed and put a hand to his face. "I can't believe I'm doing this..." he muttered to himself, much to Kouign-Amann Cookie's delight. It's not like he had anything better to do, anyway."Fiine, I'll help you. But you better have a plan" he said, finally convinced to hear her out.
Kouign-Amann Cookie gave him a witty smile and gestured him to take a seat on the ground. "Oh you're going to love this..."
...
Prune Juice Cookie stared at the ballgown-wearing Champion in shock. "Th... THAT'S YOUR PLAN!?" he exclaimed, unsure whether he heard the absolutely insane Champion correctly.
Kouign-Amann Cookie rubbed the back of her head sheepishly. "It's a little rough around the edges, but we don't have much to work with. Nor much time, for that matter" she turned her head away from the flustered Champion. "I was actually hoping you'd help fill in some gaps" she admitted.
Prune Juice Cookie took a deep breath and composed himself. "Kouign-Amann Cookie -no offence- but you're the last Cookie I'd think would come up with an infiltration plan" he chuckled to himself, still unsure whether to have faith in the pink Champion or chastise her.
"Hey, this is out of my element! I'd charge in there swords blazing if there were one or two paladins on guard, but we're talking FINANCIER COOKIE here!" she said in exasperation. "Plus... I'm not supposed to be out of the Crème Knights' Quarters" she admitted. "If they realize I'm not there, the first place they'll look is wherever they're keeping Capsaicin Cookie"
Prune Juice Cookie put a leather-bound hand to his chin as he thought about the information presented to him. First of all, he was 98% that Capsaicin Cookie was somewhere in the Scovillia Quarters. The likelihood of the Mountains of Trials and Harmony having a secret dungeon somewhere on the premises was slim, and the walls of the Scovillia Quarters are known for being notoriously thick. It'd be the perfect place to put a Cookie known for setting linen on fire. Second of all, Kouign-Amann Cookie may not be the most equipped for a stealth mission, but HE certainly was.
One of his eyes cracked open to look at the multitude of brews strewn about his room. Despite the bulk of his efforts being taken with him every time a Trial rolls around, he had left behind quite a few potions far too niche to be truly useful. "Okay, I think I've patched the holes in your plan-" he started, before a knock at the door nearly made him jump 3 feet in the air.
"Prune Juice Cookie, are you alright in there?" the signature sweet voice of his ex-professor, Latte Cookie, asked from behind the door.
Prune Juice Cookie whipped his head to look at Kouign-Amann Cookie, his eyes wide. "Q-Quick! Hide under the bed!" he hissed to her as she hurriedly scampered under the frame of his velvety violet bed.
"A-Ah, yes, Latte Cookie!" he stammered, hoping to hide the panic in his voice. The door gingerly opened and the warm coffee-colored dough of his ex-professor poked itself into the room.
"Are you sure, dear? No burns?" she asked, despite already checking the inky Champion twice since his return to the Quarters.
Prune Juice Cookie gave her an uneasy smile and hurriedly nodded his head. "Oho, but I'm VERY tired! I've been trying to restock my lost supply of potions and it's left me oh so fatigued" he said dramatically, attempting to persuade the bittersweet professor that he was about to fall asleep on his feet.
"Alright, I'll make sure nobody disturbs you" she said while giving him a warm smile. Before she retreated back into the hall, a peculiar sight caught her eye.
"Prune Juice Cookie, what's that under your bed?" she asked quizzically as she cocked her head at the piece of lacy pink fabric sticking its way out of the dust ruffle adorning the Champion's bed.
Prune Juice Cookie snapped his head in the direction of the offending article of clothing. "HAS THAT COOKIE EVER HID IN HER LIFE!?" he thought to himself in horror. Practically the whole back end of her ballgown was sticking out!
He didn't know what would be worse: Latte Cookie finding him with the Crème Knights' Champion hiding under his bed, or her finding out that he was planning on sneaking out to save the Cookie that nearly burnt her to a cinder. "Oh-I...Uh..." he stammered, his cheeks flushing as he frantically grasped for an explanation. "... I... Sometimes... Like to wear pretty... Dresses" he said lamely, his whole face now a delectable beet color. Really, Prune Juice Cookie? REALLY? That was SO going to come back to bite him in the future! He mentally groaned at the mess he had gotten himself into.
He could hear faint snickering coming from underneath the bed. Kouign-Amann Cookie would pay for this...!
Latte Cookie looked at him sweetly as she gave him an encouraging smile. "Oh, isn't that wonderful?" she said supportively. "If it makes you happy, Prune Juice Cookie, then I'd be delighted to take you dress dropping when we return to Parfaedia!" she said encouragingly.
Prune Juice Cookie stood there as his soul left his body. "That'd be great..." he choked out as the bittersweet professor gave him a parting smile before closing the door.
Unable to stop herself any longer, Kouign-Amann Cookie burst into laughter from under the bed. "YOU ARE THE BEST LIAR I HAVE EVER SEEN!" she cried between laughs as she shimmied out from under her hiding spot.
Prune Juice Cookie merely stood there with his arms crossed and a ticked off expression on his face. "A word to this to anyone and I will personally slip a muahashroom into your next meal" he said bitterly. "Now quit laughing and help me pack for your stupid stealth mission!" he said in exasperation, already tossing assorted brews into one of his many canvas potion sacks.
"Alright, alright" she said, finally calming down. "... If we pull this off I'll let you try my dress on" she added humorously as she helped him pack.
"I WILL MAKE YOU DO THIS ALONE!" he angrily yelled as the ballgown-wearing Champion snickered.
The door to the conference room clicked open, causing Molten Magma Cookie to stir from his absolute boredom. About time, as the guards flanking him called his bluff 10 minutes ago. He turned his head to scrutinize the Cookies that walked in. "So good of you to make time in your busy day to meet with me" he said slyly. "You better have looked after my students while your own watched me like a freshly-baked Cookie" he added scornfully.
Chouquette Cookie didn't comment on his remarks, merely walked with purpose down to the other end of the table; only stopping to grab the sugar sculpture that Molten Magma Cookie had had his eyes on earlier.
"Clever Preceptor..." he thought to himself as he watched the gold-plated Cookie like a hawk. Behind him was Crème Fouettée Cookie, who didn't even turn to look at the seated Head as she strode past him. What a wonderful indicator of how this meeting would go.
The Preceptor rested the sculpture on the far end of the table as he and the Principal sat opposed to the Headmaster. He looked at the two Crème Knights stationed on either side of him and they both nodded their heads before retreating out from the room. Fixing the fiery Head an impassive stare, he opened his mouth to speak.
"Well, Molten Magma Cookie. Do you have anything you wish to disclose before we begin?" he said in his rich voice. Crème Fouettée Cookie nodded her head in agreement.
"Perhaps if you give us some background information we can better understand your choices" she added in her aged voice.
Molten Magma Cookie looked at them impassively. "What is this? Am I on trial here? Well, that would explain the guards" he thought to himself as he sat there and internally seethed. "Disclose? Oh, like how you kidnapped one of my students and then held me hostage here while my dough's about a few degrees away from crumbling into dust?" he snapped at them.
Chouquette Cookie sighed. "It would be best for all parties if you cooperated, Molten Magma Cookie" he said formally, his tone of voice not betraying any emotions felt. "... And my paladins were to ensure that you didn't do anything rash in your condition" he added, a touch of sympathy tainting his previous tone.
"How generous of you, Chouquette" Molten Magma said sarcastically as he looked at the two. "Just get on with this. And you better be looking after my students. All of them" he added, putting emphasis on the last bit.
Crème Fouettée cleared her throat. "As well all know now, your Champion, Capsaicin Cookie, is... A dangerous and unpredictable individual. I was able to rationalize the incident at the banquet hall, though now I see that was a grave mistake on my part" she said seriously, her eyes fixated on Molten Magma Cookie. "Although I presume you already knew of the danger he could impose, seeing how you reacted then"
Chouquette sighed as Molten Magma folded his arms and remained silent. The man was as difficult and stubborn as all previous Scovillian Headmasters. "I've heard the state the Scovillian Champion Quarters is in. I believe that is a... Recent event that took place?" he said evenly as the words his paladins had relayed to him materialized in his mind. From their description, the room looked like it had been doused in gasoline and subjected to a dust explosion. "Molten Magma, there's no sense in denying or remaining silent when it's obvious that you had some knowledge about Capsaicin Cookie's past" he reasoned.
"Yeah, 'cept I don't" he said matter-of-factly. "I don't know anything about this 'Spice Overlord' your scholar keeps yapping about, to me it's just a pet name my students call Capsaicin" he added while giving them a bored expression. "Although... That WOULD explain why Capsaicin hated being called that name" he wondered to himself. Capsaicin Cookie wasn't exactly the modest type- he can attest to that.
The Preceptor pinched the bridge of his nose and shook his head. "Can you at least tell me about the boy's past? What you know of it?" Chouquette muttered, his patience for the man clearly wearing thin. "Where did you find him?"
Molten Magma closed his eyes and exhaled. Despite wanting to be as difficult as possible just to stick it to Chouquette and Crème Fouettée, he knew that playing along would yield the best results. They both seemed animus on the subject of Capsaicin, but perhaps he could sway them to seeing the boy in the same light that he does? "Fine... I found him a couple years ago during an unnaturally bad season of volcanic activity" he started, his eyes going listless as he recounted his boy's touchy past. "Couldn't tell me his name, where he's from, if he had any parents... Really shaken up- practically inconsolable the first few days"
The Preceptor and Principal listened intently as the Headmaster went on, both their faces bearing hard-to-read expressions.
"So of course I took him under my wing" he said, smiling a tad at his decision; it was probably the best one he had made in his entire life. "... And yeah, it was difficult dealing with the fires and lava, but for the Red Dragon's sake, the kid was terrified! Constant nightmares, always anxious and afraid... Hell, I had to pull him from Intro to Combat his first year since he couldn't stomach the prospect of hurting another Cookie" he explained, voice fighting to remain steady as he spoke of Capsaicin Cookie. He couldn't help but feel fiercely protective of the boy, and the fact that his whereabouts were somewhat dubious was making him a type of nervous that he hadn't been in a long time. "And those damn shackles...! I offered several times to try and remove them, but he refused. I could tell he hated them, but the thought of losing them made him shake with fear!"
He fixed the two Academy Heads in front of him an indignant stare. "So what are you afraid of? A monster? 'Cause the only monstrous thing I see is the idea of imprisoning a traumatized kid just because he was baked with so much power" he scoffed as he held his gaze firm. Molten Magma could always see through Capsaicin's ever-present grin and up-beat attitude- despite appearing happy, he was riddled with anxiety that he kept at bay so as to not worry anyone. "Kids shouldn't have to do that..." he internally sighed as he waited for the two Academy Heads for their reaction.
Crème Fouettée appeared deep in thought as Molten Magma finished. She was a pragmatic Cookie and couldn't deny that she was seeing two halves of two stories that were heavily fragmented. While it was true that records- of which were provided with courtesy by Eclair Cookie- proved the existence and apparent threat of the Spice Overlord in the past, they did not match up with what she was seeing with her own eyes. Despite witnessing the absolute havoc Capsaicin had wreaked during his meltdown, she had sensed no ill-will from the boy. As an added variable, she trusted the Scovillia Headmaster's intuition- both as a seasoned warrior and educator, and as a dear friend as well. But she had a duty to keep her students and Parfaedia safe, and she wasn't going to let emotions get the better of her.
She arced her arms and intertwined her fingers as she rested the gesture against her mouth, further obscuring any emotions that may have snuck their way across her face.
Chouquette, on the other hand, struggled with the information presented to him. Despite being revered as a stoic and professional Head of the Crème Knights, he was a naturally hot-headed (a trait that he attempts to keep under wraps) person and wielded his blade as a paladin to protect what he believes in. Molten Magma was a good friend of his, and he'd follow the energetic Cookie blindly into battle should the Headmaster need it. Right now, he was feeling... Conflicted. His loyalty to his friend was waging a war on his loyalty to his Republic and Oath, and he was inclined to side with the latter army. No one was infallible- he'd definitely seen the Headmaster make some mistakes and bad calls before, but the burning passion the Cookie conveyed on the subject of Capsaicin was making this a very tough situation for him to pass judgement on.
Molten Magma watched the two deep-in-thought Academy Heads as he folded his arms and leaned back in his chair. His dough protested at the movement by sending him several friendly reminders that he was, in fact, still covered in burns and bruises. He involuntarily winced as the daggers of pain stabbed at his nerves with a fury that only a Scovillian could muster up- and tolerate, as well.
This whole ordeal was taking far too long for his liking.
"Well...?" he said as he cleared his throat. "I told you what you wanted to know, now tell me what I want to know: what happens now?"
His two academic equals exchanged glances before Chouquette gave a slight shake of his head. "Unfortunately..." he began, the words seeming to cut his tongue like barbed wire. "... This goes beyond my authority. I need to alert the Republic" he finished as he struggled to look his friend in the eyes.
Molten Magma's heart instantly sank and his body shrieked with protest as he quickly lunged forward and smacked his palms on the table to support himself upright. "No- No! You don't need to do that- Crème Fouettée...!" he said desperately as his head turned to look at the senior Cookie. Those damned Republic Elders go haywire at the mere MENTION of a threat!
She tilted her head downwards, causing the uneasy Headmaster to grow more panicked. "I agree with the Preceptor. I have a duty to protect my city and I cannot keep something like this from it" she said steadily, years of practice keeping her voice even despite the torrent of discontent swirling inside of her.
The Headmaster's eyes widened and he fell back in his chair with an agonizing jolt of pain which was dulled by the absolute fear racing through his mind. This... Was the worst case scenario. "... With friends like you... Who needs enemies..." he said dully as he dropped his gaze.
He needed to get Capsaicin and his students back home, now.
"Molten Magma, please relax-" Chouquette attempted to say before he was cut off as the door to the conference room was hastily threw open.
A paladin trainee gasped for breath as he poked his head into the room. Both Principal and Preceptor looked at the out-of-breath student as he locked eyes with the Preceptor.
"... Preceptor -gasp- Sir! Kouign-Amann Cookie is missing!" he wheezed.
Chouquette immediately stood up and rushed to his student. "How long?" he said, slipping into his stoic voice one more.
"I don't know- Madeleine Cookie noticed 20 minutes ago and I rushed over here to alert you...!" he gasped, exhaustion finally catching up to the young student and he clutched his knee caps as he hunched over and fought to regain his breath.
At that, the Headmaster whipped his head in the direction of the door. He didn't know the young Crème Knights Champion well, but he certainly knew that she had a good heart and was friends with Capsaicin Cookie! It didn't take an Academy Head to figure out the plotline here.
"Surely she didn't...!" the Preceptor muttered as he thanked his student for the message and left him to re-accumulate himself. "Crème Fouettée, what of your Champion?!" he questioned, turning his head to look at the senior Cookie.
"I don't know, I'll go check on him right now" she said, eyes narrowing as she quickly got up and headed for the exit to the conference room.
"W-wait!" Molten Magma grunted as he got to his feet and turned to follow, only for his injuries to cause the strong-willed Headmaster to stagger as he clutched his chest in pain. Damn it! He couldn't do anything in this condition- Grrah! Being useless was NOT something he was used to!
Chouquette's eyes softened as they looked at his friend. "Please, just stay here, Molten Magma. You're in no condition to intervene" he said with a hard voice as he called for the two Crème Knight paladins that had previously guarded the injured Headmaster. They entered the room as the Principal and Preceptor made their departure and hoisted the indignant Cookie back to his chair.
"IF YOU TWO DO ANYTHING TO CAPSAICIN-! I'LL... BURN YOUR HOUSES DOWN!" he threatened loudly as the door slammed shut behind them. "I'M THE HEADMASTER, DAMN IT!" he added, though it was evident that the two Cookies had already left the vicinity.
He was the Headmaster.
And he was utterly incapable of doing anything.