Pandemonium | Dream SMP

42. Meth lab..?

It takes only a moment for Tubbo to notice my presence. At first, he looks startled, taking a step back with wide eyes as if I'd caught him doing something he shouldn't. But then he remembers I'm a friend, and quickly settles down again, rubbing the back of his neck with a degree of awkwardness.

"Hi..." he says, "looks like you found me."

"You don't sound too thrilled to see me," I point out, walking along the pond's edge to meet him.

"It's not that. It's just- Do I have to go back..?"

Tubbo looks like a wounded puppy as he gazes up at me, anxiety dancing in his brown gaze. It's painfully obvious how much he doesn't want to return to the walls. But to think he actually snuck away to try and avoid it.

"You know what, I think they'll be fine without us for a while," I say with a smile, and Tubbo brightens up. "Why don't you show me around this little place of yours instead?"

"Oh, well, this is the Camarvan." He explains, patting the side of the trailer fondly, "When you told me earlier to think of Tommy and Wilbur if I was having a hard time, I immediately thought of this place. It's where we started the revolution, y'know? We would work, eat, and even slept here. It was a little cramped, but it was fun."

"It's a charming little thing," I smile, "may I have a look inside?"

"Oh, uh, yeah! Sure you can. Watch your feet though, there's broken glass."

I know I should be herding Tubbo back to Schlatt right now, but I'm far too curious to see the place where the L'Manburg revolution began. To think that a tiny slice of history has been sat here all along. It's exciting. And also intriguing.

The inside of the trailer is bigger than I thought it would be, with counters running along one wall, and two sets of bunk beds along the other. A tiny kitchenette sits at the far back, an old, dented kettle left on the hob. The centre space is filled with a table, yellowing maps and sheets of paper waterlogged from the rain littering its surface. The only light source comes from the broken windows and the occasional hole poked through the trailer's roof, allowing the sun to shine through in speckled intervals. It gives me a warm, fuzzy feeling, gazing out across the abandoned room. A place frozen in time. I can see why Tubbo would choose this place to relax in. It's filled with memories of a time he clearly enjoyed.

"I remember us all sitting in here," Tubbo says, his voice soft and filled with longing of days long since passed. "Tommy was there, and Wilbur was stood over there," he points to spots around the table. "And I was here with Fundy. It was right after Eret betrayed us all, and Wilbur asked what supplies we had, and I said I had nothing."

I watch silently as Tubbo moves around the trailer, running a hand over the counters.

"It feels like it was just yesterday. Isn't that weird? I can remember it all so clearly still."

"Good memories tend to be easier to recall," I say, placing a hand on Tubbo's shoulder. "It's the human brain's way of keeping us happy and motivated, by reminding us of times we enjoyed. Or at least that's what I like to think."

Tubbo offers me a grateful smile, "I like that idea."

"Ay Tubbo! You over here?! Where the hell are ya?! Ares?!"

We both flinch and turn to stare out the shattered window, the moment of peace broken by Schlatt's loud voice. He pushes aside some bushes and steps out on the opposite side of the pond, where I'd initially emerged. He plucks a leaf from his hair with disgust and flicks it away.

"I didn't think he'd come looking for us," I say, genuinely surprised to see the man here. Why didn't he wait for me to return like he usually does? Did something happen?