The Hidden Kingdom // DreamSMP

Chapter 18: Answers

Once again surrounded by the familiar darkness you've visited only a few times before, sitting in a velvet chair and a small side table with a record player softly playing the melodious sounds of a piano.

On the other side of the small side table was another velvet chair and sitting in it was the familiar Arabella. She crossed her legs, smiling and staring into the darkness as the usual endless stream of tears left her emerald green eyes and staining her pale as snow skin, dripping onto the green silk gown she was wearing.

Dreaming.

None of this was real and you knew it the moment you laid eyes on your attire. A black gown and hands adorned with only the finest jewels.

"Hello darling." Arabella's warm gaze met your own and you sat straighter in your seat, head higher. "It has been a while since I saw you last. Has it not?"

You hummed, nodding your head and unsure of what to say next. "...Where are we?"

"I'm sure you noticed already. But we're in a.. dream, of sorts. In your head space." Her soft smile stayed as she spoke. "I decided to visit since you haven't called for me ever since we've spoken."

"I never thought of it.." Your eyes cast down towards your bejeweled hands. Eyes meeting hers once more, tilting your head up. "I- Why did you want to visit me anyway?"

"Is it wrong of me to visit you?"

Your eyes widened, guilt slowly seeping through you. "Ah- No! That's not what I mean. I was just curious because you haven't talked to me since.. uhm. A week ago? Maybe a little over a week..."

"Well I've already said why I'm here. I just want to visit since it's been so long we've spoken." Arabella waved her hands, a pot of tea and two filled tea cups appeared on the small side table, in front of the record player. "Take one dear. It's vanilla."

"Thank you." You took a sip, savouring the aroma and the taste as the liquid touched your tongue.

It was a comfortable silence that engulfed you two that was only taken by the record player. The soft tune of a piano playing.

It was a nice break compared to the last few days while staying with Technoblade, Tommy, and their new friend you had just met earlier that day, Philza. It gave your sore body a chance to relax without having Tommy at your side to parade you with snarky comments and joking insults.

Thinking back to your training, it was important you knew how to protect yourself so you wouldn't become a burden to anyone around you. Especially if you were thinking to travel trough dimensions.

So many things had changed in the course of just a little over a week.

And it all started because of Karl.

Your eyes widened as you remembered why you had come back to the SMP.

To apologize to Karl.

You faced Arabella, setting your tea on the side table a bit loudly, the dishes hitting the other and a bit of tea spilling over the edge of the cup. "Have you seen Karl? I- I completely forgot I came here to apologize to him."

Her eyes met the urgent gaze of your own, keeping the same familiar smile she always kept. "Yes. I have."

Smiling, you stood up only to slightly stumble on the heels that you realized you were wearing. "Great! Where is he?"

She faced away from you, her smile never leaving as she took a sip of tea from the beautiful porcelain cup. "It will be a bit hard to look for him dear."

You raised a brow. "What?"

"You see... After you left to go back to your world the first time around, Dream wasn't the happiest because.. Well, dear, you aren't supposed to be here." She set her tea down, her smile still present as the never ending stream of tears left her eyes. "So he.. went to take his frustrations out on Karl. Though, we couldn't find him anywhere. We don't know where he is."