The ever-present twilight of Shadow Milk Cookie's domain loomed overhead, stretching long, crooked shadows over the cracked obsidian paths. A hush clung to the air, thick and expectant, broken only by the echo of two pairs of footsteps and the occasional flicker of distant, eerie lights. A perfect setting for mischief—or disaster.

"Ugh, must you skitter so much?" Black Sapphire Cookie drawled, absently twirling his floating microphone between his fingers as he cast a sidelong glance at his smaller companion. "You're like a jittery little bat—flitting about, waiting to sink your teeth into something."

"And you," Candy Apple Cookie cooed, her syrupy voice laced with amusement, "are moving like we're in the middle of some grand performance. Ooooh, maybe you think someone’s watching?" She giggled, sidestepping a jagged crack in the path. "Should I clap? Throw roses at your feet?"

Black Sapphire Cookie merely smirked, flicking a loose curl from his face. "A shame you can’t reach my level, dear. But don't worry—I'll let you stand in my spotlight just this once."

A beat of silence. Then—

"Liar." Candy Apple Cookie whispered it with a grin before abruptly skipping ahead, her wings giving a playful flutter.

"Ah-ah, where do you think you're going?" Black Sapphire Cookie sighed dramatically, lazily reaching out with his free hand. "Now, now, Candy Apple—shouldn’t we stick together? You wouldn’t want to get lost in our dear master’s lovely little abyss, would you?"

A giggle. A daring glance over the shoulder.

"Or maybe…" she mused, "I just wanna see how long it takes before you start whining that you're lonely."