Pandemonium | Dream SMP

07. Ahhhh!

Once Schlatt is fed and watered we head over to L'Manburg together, and to the podium that now looks fully complete.

Stood on the podium stage is the tall figure of Wilbur, Tommy at his side. They're discussing something excitedly, and I wave up at them as we approach.

Tommy spots me first and returns the friendly wave. Wilbur smiles and nods in greeting.

"Hey, Schlatt! Come over here! The view is awesome!" Tommy calls out.

Schlatt pulls a face and glances around. Searching for an excuse not to be near the blonde boy.

Before he can, I answer for him, "He'll be right up, Tommy!"

"I hate you," Schlatt mutters, and I giggle.

With a scowl on his face, the horned man skulks towards the back of the podium, heading for the stairs that will lead him up to the stage.

I watch him go, opting to spend a little more time down here to explore the place. I trust Tommy and Wilbur to keep an eye on Schlatt for me.

There's a clatter of wood, followed by an, "ah, bother!" As Tubbo stumbles into my line of sight, dropping the wooden chair he'd been carrying. He hasn't noticed me yet, so I stroll on over to help.

"Afternoon, Tubbo." I greet pleasantly, only to receive a small shriek of surprise as the brunette boy almost bowls over backwards.

I manage to grab one of his arms before he goes completely over, though, and quickly steady him on his feet.

"S-sorry. Are you okay?" I ask, a little shaken by his intense reaction.

"Oh, Ares. Yeah, I'm okay. You just made me jump a little is all," he chuckles, embarrassed.

That was a little?! I think in disbelief.

I really need to watch myself around him in the future if this is what a small shock does to him. God forbid anyone ever throws him a surprise party.

"Looks like you're having trouble. Want me to help?" I ask, inspecting the chair at his feet. It looks pretty heavy for someone of his size to be lugging around.

Actually, on second thought I think I'll help anyway.

Before Tubbo replies, I heft the chair up and search for an empty place to put it.

I end up helping Tubbo with a few more chairs, chatting with him as we work. I'm so caught up in our conversation that I don't notice the first few people begin to arrive for the rally until one of them comes right up and taps me politely on the shoulder.

I jump and spin around, only to immediately settle down when I see the smiling face of Niki.

"Oh, Niki. Hello." I nod.

"Hello again." She greets. "You two are here awfully early."

"That's because we had to do some last-minute preparations." Tubbo explains happily, "But I think we're just about done now, thanks to Ares."

"Oh?" Niki turns to look at me, impressed. "That's very sweet of you."

Her compliment has me beam, and warmth floods my chest. I don't know what it is about Niki, but I find myself inexplicably drawn to her smile. Like a moth to a flame. Just hearing her voice brings me comfort, like I'm being wrapped in a soft blanket. I could happily fall asleep listening to her. But then again, anything would be better than listening to Schlatt's laboured snores every night.

"Oh! Speaking of sweet." The blonde woman reaches into a bag at her side and pulls out a little pouch tied with a ribbon. She hands it to Tubbo, who examines the gift with large, curious eyes. "Don't forget to vote for Coconut2020. We have cookies."

She winks cheekily, and strolls over to another group of people, presumably to hand out more goodie bags.

"Coconut2020..?" I question curiously.

"Oh, that's Fundy's party," Tubbo explains. He's already opened the bag and now munches noisily on the biscuits inside. "Niki is Fundy's running mate."

"And she's handing out cookies as bribes?" I muse, "How crafty."

"What's a bribe?"

"It's something you give someone in exchange for their cooperation." I hum, eyeing Tubbo with a smirk, "Those cookies you're eating? That's a bribe. And you've just accepted it in return for your vote."

"Ahhhh!" Tubbo flings the bag down like it's on fire and immediately starts scrubbing the crumbs from his face. "I've been tricked!" He exclaims.

I giggle at Tubbo's horror-struck expression, only to be interrupted by the horrendous screeching of a microphone suddenly penetrating the air, offending the ears of everyone gathered as we all yell out in surprise and pain.

Thankfully the noise only lasts a split second, leaving a ringing in our ears.

"Ah, oh, sorry about that, folks." Wilbur's amplified voice echoes out from the podium, sounding a little sheepish. "The rally will be starting in approximately ten minutes. Can all presidential parties please make their way to the stage to prepare."

"I should probably head over too," I say. "Schlatt will be missing me."

"Yeah. Schlatt really seems to rely on you, huh?" Tubbo directs his gaze to the stage, no doubt seeking a glimpse of the goat-man.

"It's a blessing and a curse." I hum, following his line of sight.

Saying my goodbyes to Tubbo and promising to meet up with him after the rally, I head on up the wooden steps of the podium and brace myself for any trouble Schlatt may have caused.

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A shorter chapter today, but don't worry, this is just the calm before the storm. And with every chapter, we grow closer to Technoblade. I wonder how the god of blood will cope against the god of war?  ;)

P.S gummishiki, thank you for your clout