APRICITY // technoblade x reader DISCONTINUED

13 - Enchantments and Elucidation

You pace across the floor of your room, readying supplies for the trip to visit this "Dream" figure. You don't have much, but you want to be as prepared as you can. Four salt canisters slide into their loops on your belt, in case of a smaller Malefict. Your sword is sheathed at the other side, cinched tightly to your waist within easy reach. You clip goggles and gloves to your belt, just in case, but you're not sure what you'd need them for.

This is a new, stressful situation, and you're apprehensive. You perch on the edge of your bed, fiddling with the edge of your coat-like robes.

Maybe Techno can tell you more about what you're going to do today.

A knock on your door startles you from your thoughts, and when you open it you're met with exactly who you'd been thinking of. Technoblade stands before you, fiddling with the edges of his collar. His hair is braided intricately and draped casually over one shoulder, small golden chains and filigree threaded into the pink strands that your eyes trace absentmindedly.

"Y/n. I-"

"Oh, Techno, I was just-"

There's a moment of awkwardness as you both begin to speak, but he gestures for you to continue first. You open the door, motioning him inside as you begin again.

"I was just about to go talk to you, actually. I've been meaning to ask a few questions. I don't know who we're going to visit, and I don't know how prepared I should be. What if another attack happens while we're trying to figure it out?"

"Actually, that's what I came to speak with you about." Techno takes a deep breath but cracks a reassuring smile at you. "The sorcerer we're going to visit today is a friend of mine. He's the son of the Chancellor, Puffy Haveneaux. His name is Clay, but we call him Dream. He specializes in illusions and forms of mind control. He doesn't do stuff to this level, but he's been studyin' it for quite a while, so I'm hoping that he can at least help us out."

You nod, flopping down on the bed to stare at the ceiling, and pat the mattress beside you. Techno's weight dips the bed next to you, and you turn your head to watch his eyes trace the molding on the ceiling.

"I also have some news. Camarvan wasn't the only attack. There was one on Snowchester, about two weeks before the one on Camarvan."

You sit up abruptly. "What? I didn't know that."

( tw // mention of death in the next 3 separated paragraphs, not graphic )

"They... they wouldn't have known to send word to you next." He pinches the bridge of his nose, worry clear in his face as you look down at him. "They barely had enough people to send a messenger to the L'manburg library. The others are focused on rebuilding. It was... brutal, to say the least. Four dead, three others injured. The grimoire that was turned into a Malefict was one of a kind, and it managed to reach the main hall and turn even more grimoires. It was... That's why it took out so many librarians."

"That's worrying, to say the least."

"Precisely. And one final pinch of salt in the wound is that the director was found dead in the vault, mauled by his own axe."

( tw over, no more death )

Your heart drops, and you feel dread begin to pool in the pit of your stomach. You rub your hands over your face and flop back down next to him. "They're connected, that's for sure. But how? How are they connected?"

"That's just it. I don't know, but I'm sure that they are."

You muffle your short scream of frustration into a pillow.

Techno laughs, but it's sharp with frustration. "I found out this morning and it's been bugging me ever since. I wanted to let you know one on one since I figured that would be better."

"It was, you're right. Thank you." You rub your eyes one final time before pushing yourself into a seated position. Techno follows, cocking his head at you in a silent question. "Alright, Techno. What do I need to bring? I've got my sword, salt for smaller Maleficts, gloves, goggles, and myself."

Techno bites at his bottom lip as he thinks. "That's good for now. Maybe we'll get you something more protective, but those robes should be good. Pants and boots are always good for running and fighting if need be."

You smile grimly. "That's the idea, yes."

"Actually, I do have a question. What are the goggles for?"

Your smile brightens, turning more genuine. "Oh! Those were my first ever magical project. The wardens have access to enchanting tables since they're a separate magic system from sorcery, and I got to enchant these over a couple of weeks. They have darkvision and a sort of magic detection system. It's very faint, but magic glows when I wear them." You unhook them from your belt and loop them over your head, fitting them snugly around your eyes and nestling the strap behind your head. "Pretty neat, right?"

Techno looks at you, leaning forward a bit. "You... look like a nerd." He receives a playful smack on the shoulder for his comment. "Hey! I'm kidding, I'm kidding! Alright! They're very cool!"

You cross your arms smugly. "That's what I thought." Carefully, you remove them from your eyes but adjust them so that they sit securely on the top of your head, ready for quick access. Next, you pull out the gloves. "These are magic too, and they might even be cooler. They're not super powerful, but they do have some enchantments. Fire resistance, necrotic resistance, and a magic barrier to protect me from any residual enchantments or curses on things that I touch with my hands."

Techno lets out a low whistle. "Impressive. That should help with any grimoires that we need in the future."

You nod, tucking the gloves back into your belt pouch. "Yeah. They only protect my hands, though, and don't make me impervious to blast radius or area effects or anything, I don't think."

"Still."

Techno pushes himself off the bed. "Alright. We'll retrieve Wilbur and my sword, and then we can get going. You ready?"

You pull on your boots, lacing the tops tightly, and hop to your feet. "Ready as I'll ever be."

He grins back at you. "Fantastic."