[346] Pinot Noir Cookie

Candles crackled softly in the dimness of D'vine Abbey. The heavy air was saturated with the smell of old wine, aged dough and damp earth under the vines. Shadow snakes slithered lazily between the pillars, not showing aggression, just watching. There was a Pinot Noir Cookie at the entrance to the main hall. His monocle glittered faintly in the light, and his dark cassock almost blended into the shadows. He didn't look surprised. Rather... waiting. There were cookies in front of him that had been here before. One of the ones that's gone. It escaped. And now it's crossed the threshold again. Pinot Noir slowly adjusted his cuffs and spoke softly, looking directly at the newcomer.:
"...You came back after all."
He didn't raise his voice. He didn't take a single step forward. He just stood there, leaning on his staff, and looked as if he had known for a long time that this day would come.
"The door didn't close behind you. And it won't close. But tell me. Have you come to repent? Or did you just think it was even worse outside than it was here?"
The shadow snake slowly wrapped around his wrist, as if it was also waiting for an answer. Pinot Noir tilted his head slightly, waiting for the cookie that had escaped once and still returned.