Pandemonium | Dream SMP

16. Size isn't everything.

I hear Schlatt before I see him. Which is never a good sign.

Coming up on the community house, all I can hear is a ruckus of laughter and yelling. Quackity's voice almost on par in volume with Schlatt's. It's both a relief and unsettling to hear the two getting on so well. Are relationships supposed to develop this quickly? It took me a while to warm up to Schlatt when we first met, but what I accomplished in a few weeks, Quackity has done in a matter of two days.

Entering the kitchen, I find the two sat at the wooden table with boyish grins on their faces. Schlatt rocks on his chair, and when he spies me entering the room immediately drops back onto all four legs.

"There she is! My wonderful little messenger bird!" He spreads his arms out and I approach, bewildered.

"I take it your talk went well?" I question, glancing to a slightly flushed Quackity.

"Better than well!" Schlatt exclaims, wrapping an arm around my waist as I move to stand beside him. "You're looking at L'Manburg's new president, baby. And of course, the first member of his soon-to-be cabinet." He gestures to Quackity who nods along eagerly, readjusting his beanie.

"You're endorsing Schlatt's party?" I ask, surprised by this unexpected news. I wasn't aware that was something another party could do.

"What can I say? Baby cakes made me an offer I couldn't refuse." He grins.

I blink rapidly, wondering if I heard that right.

Did Quackity just refer to Schlatt using a pet name?

It appears their relationship is going in a direction I had not anticipated. Not that that's a bad thing. It's just- well. It's unanticipated.

"I see. I'm glad to hear it." I say slowly, my brain still lagging behind on the 'baby cakes' comment. "But, will an endorsement be enough? Not to undermine your credibility, Quackity. But Schlatt's party entered the race late. I'm sure for half the audience watching last night it was their first time even seeing him. Will the support from your party really be enough..?"

My voice peters off as I see the two males exchange knowing smirks. It makes me suspicious, and I turn to Schlatt for explanation, my brows creased.

"Ah, Ares. You are adorable sometimes." He chuckles, giving my side a squeeze. "Of course it won't be enough. But that won't matter with what we have planned."

"What you have planned..?"

"Yes. Yes. Now, why don't you run off and do a perimeter patrol or something? Let the politicians finish up their talk? Hm?"

Schlatt gives me a pat on the back and a small nudge forward. I grudgingly comply, heading for the door.

"Okay then..."

"That's my girl."

As soon as the door shuts behind me I hear Quackity mutter something, sending Schlatt into laughter.

With not much else to do, I follow Schlatt's suggestion and wander along the perimeter of the community house, my head held high despite my mood feeling low. Which is wrong, because I should be feeling happy.

Schlatt has a plan for the election. He has a plan to win. A plan for us to win. It's not like I need to know what the plan is for it to work. He would have told me if he thought I needed to know.

Maybe he thinks I won't understand because I'm new to politics? That would make sense. And he has Quackity to help him now, anyway. I'm not needed right now...

I stop in my tracks and frown. There's an uncomfortable feeling worming about in my chest that I can't quite place. It's not anger, nor jealousy. I surpassed those kinds of menial emotions long ago. So could it be-